"A&E drop in centre"

My wife and I attended A&E as a result of dialling 111 to receive advice on the terrible stomach cramps my wife was suffering.

We were asked if an ambulance was required due to the severity of her symptoms. We declined knowing the strain the service is under.

After arrival and having spoken to a member of staff we then proceeded to wait following the initial consultation with the triage nurse for 9 hrs to see a consultant. Ludicrous.

A truly absurd amount of time made all the more uncomfortable by the company we were forced to wait alongside.

Drunks, homeless unfortunates, fighters and families appearing to be on a day out.

No security was present or any kind of authority to oversee the waiting room other than the migrating police officers bringing in their charges who did nothing.

A full room where space was of a premium had drunks asleep across 4 chairs intimidating the whole room.

A lone lady would not have stayed, of that I have no doubt.

I kept asking when we may be seen and kept receiving news that we were either next in the queue or that there were 2 left infront. This information inhibited my movements to fetch refreshments and we really did not want to eat crisps, chocolate or pop from the vending machine.

We all understand the pressures the nhs operate under but to relentlessly ask for additional funds is not the answer, a correct delegation of specific duties ought to be implemented and certainly thought given to a subcontractor security firm to help with the less deserving cases.

Branston ward is the only positive, a fabulous environment, totally clean and wonderfully staffed.

A&E is an embarrassment to Lincoln.