"Disappointed by visit to walk in centre"

Following a fall in which I bruised my elbow and hand, both became swollen and painful.

I visited the centre in Litherland, Liverpool. After giving my details i sat in a waiting room that was very bare and devoid of any type of information.

There were no play materials for children. There were 2 other people waiting. One was a mother with a small child, toddler. She had been waiting for over an hour and when she approached the desk, behind which sat 3 receptionists chatting, she was told she was waiting in the wrong area.

I was "triaged" by a nurse whose communication skills I felt were appalling. My injuries were not examined and because i could move my fingers it was recorded i had "full movement" in my arm.

I waited again and was then assessed by a nurse practitioner who appeared very stressed and again didn't fully examine my injury but gave me a sling for which i was grateful.

I left the centre wondering how much this service cost the public and can see why attendance at A&E depts for minor injuries will never be reduced as this service did not meet my need too well.