"My A&E experience at Watford General hospital"

I arrived at the A&E department yesterday with severe right illiac fossa pain. As I got there I knew the wait would be long. I was directed to majors. My pain worsen after 2 hours I was given IV paracetamol without a name band and when I asked for more analgesia I was ignored. Day staff handed over my care to night staff in front of other patients and their relatives. I was absolutely shocked... Whatever happened to confidentiality? The nurse who took over my care realised none of the patients in the sitting area had been given name bands. After 4 hours of no communication with the staff and myself, I was reviewed by a doctor and then sent back to the waiting area with no update of the plan for an additional hour. I was then told I'd be admitted to the gynae ward where I'd be reviewed by the gynae consultant. I waited for a porter for a while. To then get to the ward for the nurses to be confused about my arrival. Apparently my care was handed over by phone. The staff on Elizabeth ward were lovely but I was directed to the waiting area again. I did explain to the doctor who initially reviewed me that I had no childcare and that I would need to leave that night. I was informed by the nurses and the consultant herself that she had 2 major cases to attend before I'd get seen. During this entire time I wasn't given any fluids as I had been nil by mouth due to the pain. So I discharged myself in a lot of pain with any analgesia to take home.

As a staff nurse myself I understand the pressures of working in such a high demand service but I felt really let down yesterday.