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Accident and emergency at North Durham

Posted By AlT

"Accident and emergency at North Durham"

About: NHS 111 The James Cook University Hospital / Cardiology University Hospital Of North Durham / Accident and emergency

(as the patient),

Had bad pains across back under right arm and up into left side of neck. Wife rang 111 and was advised to get emergency ambulance, as we live 2min from hospital we elected to drive straight there. We were informed to say that I was on an 8 min ambulance at the front desk.

On arrival at Durham University Hospital it was bedlam (what has happened to our A&E?).

I went and told the front desk what 111 had said. I saw triage within ten mins and was told I needed a ECG and would be called. I sat in agony for over 2 hrs before I was called. I had a ECG and then promptly crashed.

I was rushed to James Cook for an angioplasty which has saved my life. I cannot thank the staff who have helped me enough but I am appalled at A&E procedure. It was obvious from the the start that it could not cope with the amount of patients, due to it being a bank holiday but that it is not an excuse, it is time that our hospitals and NHS procedure is overhauled.

At James Cook it was obvious there was not enough beds and this seems to a general problem across the NHS. I have read about problems at A&E but now have experienced it. Again I reiterate that I have no problem with the staff and the way I was cared for after the event.

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Responses

Response from University Hospital Of North Durham 10 years ago
University Hospital Of North Durham

Submitted on 13/05/2013 at 10:27
Published on nhs.uk on 06/01/2014 at 06:32

Thank you for providing feedback on your recent attendance to the Accident and Emergency Department at University Hospital North Durham in May 2013. I am sorry to read that you were unhappy with your experience on this occasion. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns with you. If you feel this would be useful please contact the Trust’s Patient Experience Team on 0800 7835774. If you would prefer to contact us by e-mail, our address is patient.experience@cddft.nhs.uk Alternatively, you can write to us at the following address: - Patient Experience Team Darlington Memorial Hospital Hollyhurst Road Darlington County Durham DL3 6HX If you do decide to contact us, please make us aware that you have left comments on the NHS Choices website. With regard to your comments about a lack of beds at James Cook University Hospital, that hospital is managed by South Tees NHS Foundation Trust. Concerns can be highlighted to their PALS Department on 0800 0282451 or via e-mail to pals@stees.nhs.uk The Trust is grateful for all feedback, positive or negative, as it means we can better understand what is important to our patients. Thank you for leaving your comments on NHS Choices. Patient Experience Team County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Tel: 0800 7835774

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Response from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 10 years ago
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 14/05/2013 at 09:49
Published on Care Opinion at 11:33

Thank you for your feedback regarding the care and treatment you received at The James Cook University Hospital.

I am pleased to learn you heart surgery was successful and you are happy with the treatment you received.

I am sorry to learn, however, you have concerns regarding the bed availabilty within the Trust (as at all acute hospitals through the last few months) and the Trust is working to resolve this issue. If you would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact out Patient Advice & Liaison Service on 01642 854807.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

Mrs Linda Oliver

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