"A&E. Fit for purpose?"

Anything else?

I suffrered a fall down some stairs while at work. I was seen by a paramedic and then transported to R.H. A&E with acute lower back pain. While on route to hospital I was administered gas to help dull the pain. The ambulance staff continued to give gas until a nurse came out and gave me 5 pills after I had been outside A&E for about 15 minutes. Still in great pain I was then put in a chair and wheeled through to the waiting room. Without any assessment whatsoever of my condition by A&E staff, I was then left for several hours without access to either a drink of water or any further medication for the pain. Eventually when the pain became unbearable I struggled to the receptionists desk and asked for more pain relief. I was told I would have to go through to the assessment rooms. I explained that I would need help and the receptionist said she would get the triage nurse to come and see me. After a further wait of at least 20 minutes I rang my son to bring in some pain killers and take me home. shortly after that the triage nurse came and asked what was wrong. I explained and he got me some more pain killers . I told him that I had rung my son to take me home to which the nurse replied that I should wait as I might need an xray. I expressed my amazement that if someone thought I might need an xray why it had not been arranged in the past 5 hours plus. By this time I was in tears caused by pain and frustration with the fact that I had been dumped and forgotten about. without any examination or explanation. eventually I was seen by a Dr. who examined me and prescribed painkillers and rest, this consultation took less than 5 minutes.

Having arrived at A&E in an ambulance obviously in great pain it is unbelievable to me that I was then abandoned without even a cursory examination by A&E staff.

Recommend Russell's Hall A&E to a friend? I don't think so