"It took 2 doctors & 2 nurses to diagnose a..."

My daughter sprained her ankle playing sports at school on Tuesday. As she was in quiet a bit of pain, I took her to the Purley walk in surgery. After waiting for 45 mins, which was acceptable as we had not made an appointment, we were seen by the doctor who said we should get an xray at A&E in Mayday and gave us a summary on headed paper of her triage.

1. Why refer us to Mayday A&E when the Purley Hospital is literally 50ft away. When I asked why, they said they are not linked. How daft. Its part of the NHS so why not?

So we go to Mayday A&E, which is being renovated so there is a make shift A&E which is chaotic. We went to reception & handed the letter from the GP at Purley hospital and were asked to take a seat. 1.5 hours later we were triaged by a nurse?? Why?? Were they more qualified than the doctor at Purley??

So we get told to sit down again. An hour later, we get taken to another booth and another nurse asks us the same questions and fills out the same assessment that was done by the doctor at Purley & the nurse. Just ridiculous!!!!

30 mins later we get sent to get the Xray and then wait for another 1.5hrs to see a doctor who tells us there are no broken bones, just a sprain and torn ligaments and to apply ice & rest it.

1 hour & Purley walk in clinic, 4.5 hrs at Mayday A&E, 2 doctors & 2 nurses later, we were sent home.

What a shambles. Why were we not simply sent to get the xray when we got to A&E as we had the report from the doctor at Purley walk in clinic. Even if A&E had to go through the paper exercise, why could they just not attach the doctors report to their files. Why did we need to see 2 nurses in A&E who asked the same questions and wrote the same report and then eventually the doctor who did the same.

Its just unbelievable and soooo inefficient and a complete mess. No wonder the NHS is in the state its in....too much red tape, paperwork and no cohesion within the system, hospitals and departments.

BTW, the doctor at Mayday at least apologies for the delay and said this was because there were not enough doctors on call. That may be the case, which is another issue, but if we did not have to see 2 nurses, surely that would have saved a lot of time!!