"I love Kings A&E even when things take time"

Two recent visits to A&E for the same thing, the first I was sent by an out of hours GP. Triaged straight away, put in a wheelchair then taken to the acute critical care (?). A long long wait, nearly four hours later I was called in. Taken to X-ray then told I had sciatica. Though I was pretty sure that wasn’t the problem, I could hardly argue so went home even though it was suggested I stay over so as to see OT and physio in the morning. I think there was a misunderstanding but I was treated with care and kindness which I felt in need of!

The second visit a few days later was as a result of being phoned by A&E and asked to come back for an MRI. after triage then a reasonably short wait, I was called in (no suggestion of a wheelchair this time oddly) and put in a cubicle in Majors, cannula put in, various obs done and blood taken. No MRI but a lovely volunteer gave me cups of coffee and a sandwich after I had been there for a while. Next I was told I would be sent to the Clinical Decisions Unit after the MRIwas done till the report was ready in a few hours’ time. In fact I stayed overnight, had the MRI next morning followed by some more X-rays then a diagnosis of stable fractures in my pelvis.

Both times it as clear that the department was very very busy. All the staff on the department, and specially the CDU were lovely. They are so busy yet still manage to make one feel they care. My only criticism was just before I left, an OT who thought she had to shout at me - because I’m 70? And because I told her I am independent thought that meant I didn’t want help, and a physio who couldn’t even be bothered to tell me how to use a walking stick or adjust it for my height. Thank goodness for google!

It was Friday afternoon, they must be overworked like everybody else after all so not too terrible, just a contrast to the kindness and sensitivity shown by all other staff, from the consultant, all the nurses in both parts to the guy who served our food and the cleaner.

I had done my very best to *not* attend the hospital when I had my accident, treated myself the first two weeks and actually I think I did myself no favours, I’d have been better off going straight to A&E because by the time I was sent there, it was assumed I must be ok as by then it was a 3week old injury. As the pain got worse, I had to seek help in the end, via GP.