"Busy A&E department"

Having an allergic reaction to nuts in my 50s came as a bit of a shock. I was assessed by staff member quite quickly due to the possibilities that could have developed. I asked if there was anywhere quiet as A&E was very busy.  Luckily, they let me use one of the family rooms, which really improved the way I felt. I'm not sure how ling I would have lasted in the main A&E the way I felt.

I had a cannula fitted, but it was never used! I was given tablets and then left. It was over three hours before I saw the dr who was lovely too and explained everything.  They seemed very rushed and didn't do all the checks they said they would - ie,  didn't check the effect on my mouth and throat. They also weren't aware of how severe my syptoms had been on arrival. Only on showing them photos did they realise. This all happened around 2200 - 2300. No one came to check on me until around 0445 when I asked what was happening. I had been ip since 0730 the previous day and had nothing to eat or sleep for a fair number hours and was keen to go home.  Dr eventually came back, said they really wanted to keep me in, but there were no beds and quite a number waiting on beds to be transferred. They said they would have to wait a couple of days for my blood results and I needed to see an immunologist.  I was given tablets, told that I needed to contact my Dr and could go home and needed to rest. 

About 10 minutes later, another nurse came out of the treatment area. She said she had come to check on me as she was conscious  no one had seen me for a little while! I said, yes, about 5 hours earlier  and Dr  had already said I could go home.

I was able to see how how stupidly busy A&E is and I am convinced they did the best job they could with the volume of patients. This is an archaic system and the waiting area is so uninviting and uncomfortable when you are feeling so unwell.  Hope I don't have to use the facilities again any time soon.

The staff do need to be congratulated on coping day after day with this state of affairs.

I was also aware that there were 7 police officers on A&E. I'm not suggesting their patients should be given preferential treatment, but I also think it's a waste of resources.