"I was treated by A & E just ..."

What I liked

I was treated by A & E just before Christmas as I had had chest pains all night. I cannot fault their treatment of me. They checked for everything despite an early (and incorrect diagnosis) from one doctor. This was all at a time when they were short staffed due to a 'flu epidemic which had also put further demand on their services. At all times, staff were very good at telling me what was happening - I was treated like a thinking human being.

What could be improved

I did not wish to be admitted as I preferred to be ill at home. However, staff persisted in admitting me and taking no account of my wish to go home. When I was eventually sent up to the ward I was horrified and stated that I did not wish to stay. The ward was mixed but, and more to the point, less than clean. In fact, a young man came to clean the floor whilst I was there. I offered to move so that he could claen around and under the bed properly. He was less than enthusiastic. I also had to point out to him a patch of, what looked like, blood on the floor which needed removing. Eventually, a very hard pressed Registrar decided to discharge me. My thanks to her.

Anything else?

The lack of cleanliness of the ward was in sharp contrast to A & E and the CDU unit, both of which were very good.

At all times staff were courteous and treated me as a human being rather than just another patient. I was reaclled to the chest clinic a couple of months later and the doctor I saw there was excellent.