"OH DEAR A AND El"

We arrived at 12 noon. Wednesday.

My 85 year old husband had a bad fall with a serious cut to his head.

Triaged quickly but told two to three hour wait.

CT scan and wound stitched by 5.00pm.

Small bleed detected husband to be admitted. to Stroke Unit.

By 9.15pm told that he would be sleeping in cubicle in A and E.

I left then - over nine hours in A and E.

Husband transferred to MAU at 2.30 AM Thursday morning.

Transferred to Hyper Acute Stroke Unit around 2.00pm 26 hours after arriving at A and E..

He was discharged on Friday; paperwork done but we had to wait for two and a half hours for the medication.

Without exception every member of the staff either medical or practical were excellent.

Highly trained in social skills. a smile goes a very long way.

The medical care throughout was so thorough and caring particularly in the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.

Backed up by the support from Southampton Hospital we know my husband has had the best possible medical advice for which we are very grateful.

Thank you.

But A and E surely could be managed better.

I know it is always so busy but lack of high calibre staff does not seem to be a problem.

Your hospital is so clean, up to date, in good order with such a good work force but the whole experience of A and E/discharge is not good.

It would seem that you are reluctant to allow us into the hallowed walls and then equally reluctant to let us go.