"Concerns about dignity and confidentiality"

I had reason to visit A&E on Sunday 14th October with a relative who was feeling very unwell.

This is my first ever time visitng this hospital.

To be fair the department did appear to be quite busy and as an attending companion and next of kin, I was satisfied with the initial assessment and test process.

However after about an hour, we were asked to move into a side/ holding room.

at first I thought this was because of the sensitivity of the patient I was with, however it became apparent that we were moved into a seating area with approx. another 8 patients and their relatives all with them.

Throughout our period of time there, nurses/ drs etc were coming in and out of the room having conversations with patients about their treatment, and I can honestly say that within an hour I knew what was wrong with everyone in that room, and what the plan was for them.

One poor lady was left sitting in a wheelchair vomiting and trying to hide it from the rest of us.

I simply couldn't understand why she wasn't put into one of the many free beds in the bays - for her own comfort and dignity.

When the time came for the patient I was with obtain her blood results we were taken into one of the bays, with the curtains drawn round whilst the dr discussed what had happened and next steps.

I must add there were 2 other patients in that room with us, with only a curtain dividing and they could have easily heard what was being said.

Again, I mention this was an extremely sensitive issue and the patient I was with was feeling very poorly.

Overall, the staff were very pleasant, the place appeared clean, but I do think Whiston a&e need to up their game when it comes to things like this - dignity and confidentiality - because it really wasn't good enough.