I was sent the a & e department by a local walk in centre last week. Upon arrival I had over an hour to wait to be seen by a triage nurse then a further hour to see a doctor. I appreciate that the nhs is under immense pressure but 2 hours can seem like a lifetime when you are ill. I really wish that the NHS was provided with the resources they need to avoid this. When I saw the doc they weren't particularly good at explaining the procedure that I would be having, other than telling me it would be extremely painful. I wasn't offered pain relief and I'm still none the wiser about why this was. The doc wasn't unkind, they were just a bit mechanistic. I am very reluctant to criticise health staff as I really appreciate the job they do and their expertise. I just think sometimes that doctors can become a bit desensitised to the experiences of their patients and overlook their need for reassurance. On a positive note, the HCA who treated me was fantastic, they were really kind and reassuring. All in all, I'm still immensely grateful for the nhs and hope that my feedback may come in useful.
"first visit to a and e at this hospital"
About: Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Gateshead) Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Gateshead) Gateshead NE9 6SX
Posted via nhs.uk
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