"If your are pain, do not go here!! You will still..."

What I liked

Little.

What could be improved

I have been to this department twice in the last seven weeks and have been left in extreme pain on both occasions. Both of these presentations were via the London Ambulance Service and would be classed as emergencies. My overall impression of this department is very poor due to the following:-

• Only being seen by a junior doctor who failed to consult with anyone senior and so no clear diagnosis was given.

• Being made to feel that my “pain” was all in my head. So was left for two hours pacing/panting and vomitting before pain relief was given.

• Nursing staff demonstrating lack of empathy, professionalism and not checking clinical notes prior to administering medication.

• My notes being lost on one attendance.

• Being left for hours prior to being assessed by a doctor. My eventual diagnosis meant I could have been septic and gone into shock.

• The poor maintenance and cleanliness of the environment. Sheets not being changed from the last patient. Sick on the floor for hours in the waiting room..........

Anything else?

Under the NHS choose and book system I have been able to avoid having my impending operation at this hospital thankfully. I would feel extremly nervous if I had been forced to go here.

This A & E department fails to adhere to any of the standards set out in the patients charter and clearly see's patients as symptoms not indivduals. They need to have more professional trained nurses and senior medical staff on duty, not allowing the department to be lead by junior staff.

Basic suggestions for improvement would be:

* Checking the pain level of all patients

* Demonstrating empathy with your patients

* Having respect for your patients, maintaining both dignity and privacy at all times.

* Junior Doctors to be supervisied by senior staff.

* Ensuring the waiting room is checked hourly and not allowing sick to be left on the floor.

* Re-training for all staff at all levels.

Major changes need to be made. I will not be attending this hospital again and have informed my GP of this also.