"5 out of 10"

Visited this hospital few days ago (I had spent around 6 hours in total in Queens hospital prior this just to be given a paracetamol as a pain killer that didn’t help so thought let me try another hospital) and was diagnosed with a kidney stones.

Despite being in a pain, given a "red" ticket at reception (which i believe it refers to an emergency case) and escorted immediately towards (i would call it) an emergency cabinet, despite of all of that it took 3 hours for a doctor to arrive. The doctor was - as is the case with majority of hospital's staff- polite but very busy and mentioned "so sorry, we are very short with staff". This was a second person after a nurse to mention this to me.

Long story short, having spent around 5 hours in total by that time i was sent home at 4.30 a.m. due to CT scanner not operating at that time?? Hello people! People like me with kidney stones are in a pain which means kind of an emergency, don’t you think!?

Any how, i went home to sleep for 2 hours, was back at 7.30 a.m., ended up being scanned at 8.30 a.m. and then had to wait for another doctor until 12.00 p.m. for a results?? Whats more, the doctor was in a rush and as i was trying to get more info about my condition (i never had kidney stones in the past so as you can imagine i was trying to understand my situation a bit more), the doctor having spent no more then 3-4 minutes with me said "i am extremely sorry for not being able to stay longer with you as we are extremely short with staff. 2 of us are on holiday while the rest of 3 doctors are not given a replacement so i have to rush and see other emergencies"

I appreciate a 100% their honesty and where they are coming from but come on you people on the top who are "running" the show! You are short with staff + certain departments dont operate longer than 9 hours, seriously!!

I come from an Eastern European country that would be considered "Very poor" comparing to the UK and yet last summer when i have had to go to an emergency (small 1 centimeters cut on my left leg) at 1.00 a.m. i ended up being seen immediately (didnt have even to sit down and wait) by 2 nurses and a doctor. 10 - 15 minutes later i was on my way back home.

Surely you can do much better!

Thanks!