"So Sad to see"

Worked 30 yrs in NHS as a registered nurse aware of the pressures on the service, attended last night with my ill wife for help. Disappointed receptionist lacked empathy did not react to my wife who came in and could hardly stand with a visibly poor physical state. Receptionist /admin carried on with paperwork after ignoring the situation, the gp on the other desk intervened and sparked her into registering the admission. Kept in the waiting area initially no help then seen by triage nurse asked a few simple questions and did basic obs. Moved to cubicle opposite another waiting area with people looking directly in no privacy/confidentiality could hear what was going on in other cubicles. A and E environment not fit for purpose. Needed help as my wife was physically sick no nurses around had to find a disposable pot myself and attend to my wife. No contact with any clinician apart from listening to doctors taking about their next career move. Had to approach staff for help felt awkward as if disturbing them. Eventually go fed up with service as told 7 other patients to deal with until it was her turn and checked out. Doctor then more attentive/concerned that my wife signs a form to release them of the admission. Can't praise a service just because this is the NHS and this is expected. Not enough nurses, not enough doctors focused on patients in the department. Observed over run department rows of patients waiting including older people left on trolleys ambulance staff stacking up waiting to hand over their patients. Reception staff insufficiently trained to deal with patients at front desk. This is about resources and investment in the NHS, the cut backs have taken effect and created a poor functioning and under resourced service despite all the conservative political talk they are ruining the NHS about time people realized it before it is lost for ever.