"keeping the numbers up"

Minor injuries unit. Took wife with broken elbow. Told reception this and told to sit down and it would be an houirs wait,.(n.b. 4 people in waiting room) Above her head a sign said patients treated by prioritising.

Went back and asked how wasprioritising / triage/streamning done and got an unsatisfactoey answer non anwser. It seemed clear that other than a leg hanging off no triage or streaming aNd if any done it was done by the receptionist. I then said we would go to A and E . They said it was no good as we would wait at least 4 hours there . Went to Derby A and E was seen in ten minutes after the streaming nurse met us with a smile ,expressed concern as to my wifes well being and even gave a her a pain kkiller while she waited. X Ray confirmed the break and elbow strapped up in a sling . We were given an appoinrment for an operation at the orthopaedic clininc tomorrow a.m.

2 things:

1. i think anything really minor ok go to ikeston but dont expect an smile or triage.

They will see anybody but after your wait be prepared to be sent on to A and E anyway.

They just want the throughput stats.

2.if they prioritise it would be nice to have evidence that it is done. On that basis perhaps a 76 year old in clear pain and sating that her elbow was broken might trump a splinter or someone with some medical knowlwedge might have said it will be quicker to go straight to A and E

If prioritising is done