"A&E should access patients properly. Dorrell Ward,..."

What I liked

I liked the staff and doctors on Dorrell Ward.

They were very caring and proffessional.

The nurses explained everything they were doing for me.

I could not have had a better experience on Dorrell Ward. I would like to thank all the staff who cared for me.

What could be improved

A&E. I arrived at A&E at 8am. Reception were friendly and I was seen fairly quickly by about 9.30. My issue lies with the person who assessed me in A&E. I didn't know at the time, but I had glandular fever and the lady who assessed me didn't even look at my tonsils. She just told me to ring the number for Westcall and to see a doctor there. Even though I told her that my GP had told me on the previous day to go to A&E if I had any further problems, as she would no longer be able to help me.

I went to Westcall just after 9.30 and saw the doctor at 11am, not too bad, she took 20 mins to access me. She was helpful and referred me to ENT. I then had to wait until 1pm for a porter to collect me from Westcall! This wasn't acceptable. I had already been waiting hours in agony and the worse thing was they took me back to A&E!

I can't fault the receptionist on A&E she recognised my mum and said she would get me re-assessed soon and true to her word I didn't wait too long.

I got a bed in A&E by about 1.30. Five and a half hours since admission to hospital. I can't believe how long it took me just to get a bed. I was then sat in A&E for another 2 hours before I was moved to Dorrell Ward.

Because of Gladular Fever I hadn't eaten for days and had barely drunk anything that day. I think it is unacceptable for someone so ill to be sent around the hospital and back to A&E when I should have been admitted in the first place. I hope something can be improved so this doesn't happen to anyone else.