"Ungrateful patients at Manchester A&E"

I attended the A&E dept of Manchester Royal Infirmary 2 days ago as an NHS direct referral. I want to praise all the staff I encountered.

I was seen by 2 doctors and a number of nurses. I had blood tests, an x ray and an e.c.g. At every point I was treated with patience, dignity and respect.

However, I was appalled by the dreadful and rude behaviour of members of the public who chose to take their frustration out on the very staff who were doing their best to get through the hordes of people who continued to arrive throughout the evening into the already overcrowded department.

Some particularly difficult patients required 3 or 4 members of staff to deal with them and still people moaned that they were having to wait. Anyone could see that there clearly weren't enough staff to cope with the numbers, but the ones that were there did there absolute best to treat and support those who needed their help.

I know the NHS has a lot of shortfalls, but credit where it is due and the staff on Sunday evening definitely deserve a mention for being so brilliant and professional and not responding inappropriately to the blatant displays of rudeness and ungratefulness.