"My exerpiance in A&E"

I visited A & E  because a (minor but nonetheless) operation wound (received from NNUH) had burst open and 111 had advised me to go.

A & E is rather confusing - you have to speak to a nurse at the door before going where you need to go. The nurse on duty this occasion I found to be dismissive, uncaring and rude. While I appreciate they have to sort timewasters from serious patients, their comments made me feel I should have stayed at home and covered my gaping wound with a plaster.

They seemed more concerned and annoyed that 111 had sent me there unnecessarily. They dismissed my wound by saying 'they won't sutre it now anyway' so left me feeling that I would have a gaping hole and ugly scar, which was very upsetting. I was sent to the minor injuries ward. While I appreciate my need was less than some of others the aftercare sheet from the NNUH advised to call 111 should anything happen and they advised me that that A & E had the facilities to resutre if necessary.

By the time I saw someone in minor injuries dept I was visibly upset (again I appreciate that's pathetic at A & E, but had the initial nurse just sent me where I needed to go without giving their  'diagnosis' (incidentally without seeing it - they had no way of knowing how big the wound was! ) I probably would have held out some hope). The care I received in the minor injuries was by far a contrast.

The nurses I saw had to also deal with my upset, but took their valuable time and were sympathetic and caring. The Dr I saw went beyond dealing with the job in hand and although the answer was unfortunately the same as the uncaring nurse at the start, took the time to tell me in a caring way.

All in all, I feel if that initial nurse had been more caring and sympathetic to the situation at hand - ME with a burst wound - their colleagues would not have had to spend so long dealing with me as I would not have been so upset by the time I got to them!