"Knee injury at work"

Unfortunately having had an injury at work, I was experiencing quite a bit of pain, living in the area I attended the walk in service.

I spent about 4 hours waiting overall. In the interests of disclosure I am a senior A&E Nurse, so speak with some knowledge.

On arrival I was greeted by a lovely receptionist, who dealt with me very quickly and efficiently and apologised in advance as there was a bit of a wait, I get delays especially around December time with winter pressures and all, however the delays I experienced seemed a little excessive for an Urgent Care Centre.

So after around 2 hours I was finally seen by the triage nurse, who basically asked what had happened and some very basic triaging questions, which was fine.

After around another hour and a half wait I was seen by the Nurse Practitioner and sent straight to X-ray, again all staff were really lovely, which I would expect naturally.

Thankfully although very swollen there was no fractures etc.

In my personal as a patient and professional opinion accordingly, this service could be greatly improved by the removal of the triage system, it is counter productive and creates another waiting list and slows down treatment. The triaging can be done very easily at reception when booking in and basically already is, I was asked the same questions by the triage nurse as I was the receptionist almost, I’m sure a receptionist could ask if I have any allergies or notable medical history.

It seems like the department is trying hard to continue to run like an A&E still. Having a staff nurse in reception to put in place temporary dressings and what have you would be a better use of their time rather than formally triaging everyone after all we all know that nobody is going to be life threateningly sick or injured purely on the basis that they have for the most part walked in or been sent by 111.

Patients could then be seen as soon as possible by the nurse practitioner and a treatment outcome brought about much sooner as there is no pointless and time wasting triage.

Triaging was a pointless exercise and simply added to the wait time.

My only consolation was that I happened across a colleague I hadn’t seen in a while who was also there for treatment, we both commented on how the triage system was pointless at the time.