"A&E Saturday morning"

I was taken by ambulance having been assessed by 111. I was having extreme nerve pain in my neck, hand and back.

I am aware that A&E departments are under strain, so did not expect to be seen quickly, but was very concerned/upset by the attitude of staff.

I sat in the minors section, shot 6 feet from the desk. Due to my pain I was crying while my husband tried to comfort me.

What really distressed me, though, was that there was a number of staff standing behind the desk laughing and joking and discussing new cars and Churchill's battle strategy. Two of them were there for at least half an hour without moving.

I am, of course, aware that these particular staff members may not have been working in the area that could assist me, but I'm extremely concerned about the mentality of someone who could laugh and joke a few feet from a woman who was crying in pain. The most basic understanding of psychology and empathy would dictate that this was inappropriate and distressing for the recipient.