"unpleasant experience"

I visited a&e on advice of my doctor. I was told to go late in the evening so it would not be as busy. On arrival the receptionist seemed to not understand anything on the letter from my doctor (or simply did not take the time to read it properly) and told me "I think there's something going around" which I found rather rude as I wasn't there for any "illness" or from my own descision.

It was almost immediately that I saw the triage nurse/doctor who was very nice, and that was super, but then waited a very very long time to be seen by a doctor, which I do understand, people do need to be seen in the order of urgency but I seemed to be the very last one left when it had been so full before with new people coming. From my gp's point of view it was necessary to go that night and not delay so I was quite worried.

I did not feel very safe so late at night there alone, and the doors were open constantly with people smoking right outside the door, which to a non smoker is not pleasant at all and obviously is not healthy at a hospital a&e. The whole room smelled of smoke and weed which was almost intolerable. The seats were filthy and broken and it just seemed very run down. Perhaps the feeling is different during the day but I would not go again at night alone unless my life depended on it.

I think the worst thing about this whole experience was that upon seeing a doctor hours later, there was no covering on the bed I was asked to lie on. It was dirty and covered in hair and crumbs which I thought was shocking considering there are all types of people in there with different types of injury or illness. The doctor I saw was nice and I felt he did what he could diagnosis wise, but I do think cleanliness is extremely important in a hospital. (I should point out that other areas of the hospital seemed a lot cleaner and friendlier and I felt more at ease and able to relax a bit.)

I was there over 5 hours and finally arrived home at 3am. I was told to bring my child with my when I originally phoned to see if I could delay my visit because of having no one to watch her at home. i'm so so glad I managed get someone to stay with her because she would not have coped well in that situation, all those hours waiting in a smoke filled room watching all kinds of people who she really shouldn't need to see or hear. There were actually 2 children with their parents when I arrived who were bored out of their minds and so tired, there was absolutely nothing for children to do there. No books or toys or paper. It's inevitable that kids will be there sometimes, so why not provide something for them?? God knows what would have happened to my child if I had needed surgery!

To sum up, just a very unpleasant experience and I advise anyone going at night to try and take someone with you, don't stand outside to call a taxi, it is very very intimidating and if you have children, don't bring them unless you really have to.