"Visit to A & E dept"

My mother was taken to the A & E department by ambulance on April 30th.

She arrived at 7 p.m. and was not seen by a doctor until 2 a.m. She was given some pain killers and blood was taken shortly after arrival.

After that she was basically ignored by the nursing staff unless I specifically asked them to help me move her.

She was on a trolley throughout the time which was very uncomfortable for her.

She was also dehydrated and complaining of thirst.

At around 10.30 pm

I told the nursing staff

I was worried about dehydration and pressure sores and one nurse in particular was very annoyed that I expressed my worries.

At 10.45 pm I asked how long the wait might be and was told by the same nurse that there were patients who had waited longer than my mother and were sicker than my mother.

Eventually at about 2.15 she was moved onto a more comfortable bed and was given IV fluids. At 2.30 am I was told by the same nurse several times that I should leave and that there was no point in my being there.

I was upset and so was my mother. She is 88, was confused and frightened.

On previous visits to the A&E dept I have been grateful for the care and attention she and my father have been given,

However, on this occasion I felt that mostly due to the attitude of one of the nursing staff the experience fell far short of what I would hope for.