"What a waste."

We're expecting our first child, and at 20 years old we're a bit clueless apart from basic things. My partner is experiencing some pains and is also due this month, so we rang 111, who sent an ambulance to the door within a minute or two. The paramedics were lovely, couldn't fault them. When we arrived at the hospital we were wheeled into an overcrowded waiting room smaller than a standard box room in a 2 bed flat, and left. You'd thing being brought in by 'emergency' ambulance you'd be seen immediately? I work for the NHS myself and understand the overcrowding and overworking, but come on. When we're eventually called in 45 minutes after we're admitted with severe lower abdo pains, we're placed in a room, hooked up to a machine and left. My partner is told to do a urine sample urgently, and when she steps into the bathroom the previous tenant (or victim)'s urine sample is sat on full display! Even when we mentioned this to one member of staff nothing was done. Not to mention my partner's sample was never bothered with. A couple of people looking after us were lovely, couldn't fault them, but the doctor who seen us before we left - miserable. Couldn't care less. Told not to worry and go home, still in severe pain.

I'd however like to thank the very understanding and accommodating paramedics, and appreciate this is a busy NHS hospital, but patient care should always come first, surely.

Not really looking forward to her giving birth if this level of care is still the norm by then.