"elderly lady with undefined loss of strength..."

On advice of GP needed to call for assistance from ambulance crew, who arrived and were so helpful and encouraging. They contacted GP for home visit who came and then said needed ambulance for hospital admission as needed tests. Crew of second ambulance again fantastic patient care at home and on admission to hospital. A&E busy as always. It was apparent that there was a lack of nursing staff and they were being called in every direction by patients and accompanying friend/family and doctors. They were doing the best they could. When a doctor was able to attend they were helpful, friendly and listened patiently to information of symptoms etc. It was over 4hours before being taken to a ward, but not a bed for the night at that point. Not an ideal situation but staff who were there were really doing the best they could with conditions that were beyond their control - and it felt like it was a situation they had to work in on a very regular basis. Well done to the staff but I shudder at what felt like a 'fire-fighting' situation for all concerned!