"The battleground of A&E"

Well where do I start - to attempt not to lose my temper I will tell it in story form in the hope that its understood 

It all started with a call to 111 due to chest pains. An Ambulance duly arrived and whisked me to A&E in Russells Hall.  We touched down and the paramedic recon the site only to tell me those dreaded words you are booked in and will have to wait in purgatory! Feeling like a paratrooper dropping into a war zone - I had landed plumb in the middle of a melee of poor beggars wandering around like a scene from an airport lounge where communication and direction was in a language beyond sound.

1 hour later - 1st call , blood pressure & ECG.  Feeling like Oliver Twist, I asked the nurse can I take my GTN - I was told to see the doctor. I stood next to them, while they typed - bowl in hand - waiting!  10 mins passed, I thought, maybe I had died and they couldn't see me? I drifted off clutching my chest in the hope that if I did drop down I would wake up and realise it was a nightmare!  

Alas no, 20 mins later the call from person looking after me-Canula and blood off to test. I returned to the trenches to find more poor souls looking hopefully for the lady with the lamp!  Luckily most of the reception staff seemed to be too busy playing hide and seek in the corridors to see anyone, so the incoming patients weren't subjected to their surly attitude and were forced to wait for one single receptionist.

2 hours later, called again, blood pressure and more blood taken, apparently the last lot had gone off! The remaining arm now sporting a bit of cotton wool.  I returned to the trenches to find an old chap with his daughter - looking gravely ill.  I felt this was going to be 1 step too far for them to try to scale the fortifications of Triage!

Time was ticking on, 7 Hours had passed and communication was zero - were the remaining bodies in the waiting room truly the forlorn of Hope?

At last a ray of light, in the early hours of the morning - no, they need more blood! Unfortunately senior person was busy and the minion was less subtle, bruising yet another 3" of skin.  I was told I would have to stay with no reason forthcoming. I nestled down in a reclining chair dithering with cold, listening to members of staff hiding behind a curtain planning to have a break when they felt they might be needed. Half an hour later, a knock on the fortress ramparts - daughter was disturbing the whole vanguard of 9 apparent health professionals, who seemed to be more busy texting and playing games. 

After repeated knocks on the drawbridge it was finally lowered, my daughter informed them that we were going home as I couldn't take waiting any longer.  They then informed us that my daughter could bring me in, and that I could sleep in a chair.  By this time the waiting room was quiet/empty ,the only sounds was the loudspeaker telling us to treat the staff with consideration as they were here to help us!  I sat there with my coat over my legs, the front door was open, thinking why is the person on the speaker telling lies - no one is here to help us.

3 poor souls were sat in these dirty seats that had not been cleaned at all - the waiting room looking like the aftermath of a scene from an action movie, with blood on the floor, litter and used bandages left for the next lot of incoming walking wounded.

Morning came, a doctor popped his head around to the tired patient opposite me and called a name. They told them that they must go to the cardiac assessment unit. The patient asked if they had to walk, and the doctor replied, yes.  The gentleman said that he needed to go to the toilet first and struggled to get to his feet almost falling over twice, I called for a medical professional to help him.

Unfortunately there were only the same staff in A/E, who grunted and put their phones down. They saw him off to the toilet, slamming the drawbridge behind him.  It was at this point I sat thinking, I'm sure they called that gentleman my name?  Do I now let them continue along the road of mistake or do I speak up?  for the sake of the old chap sitting in the loo alone and disoriented, he would be forced to return to this chamber of confusion and mismanagement and would have no escape.  A wave of selfishness came over me I couldn't help it, I told the confused nurse that I was the patient they were looking for. The nurse asked again if I was, and I replied "I am". They commented that the doctor had already told the other patient to go, I replied that I know! Another nurse appeared, almost as if they had been thrown into a ring of wrestlers,  with a growl asked if I had had my meds. I replied that I hadn't. They said with a growl they would go and get them.
 

Then it happened, someone arrived carrying the bright shining lamp supporting a wheelchair, calling my name. It's me, over here I cried!  They had come to me to tell me the nightmare was over. My tour of duty attempting to breach the walls of Triage was over.  I was at last on the way to see people who truly cared.

Summary:

A&E is mismanaged, the staff I encountered were extremely unprofessional, showed no compassion or empathy, cleanliness standard were extremely poor, staff seem to have zero communication skills.  I appreciate its a busy place but we only expect to be treated with kindness, professionalism and quality care should not be sacrificed due to urgency! A private company would not last long if it were operated in this manner.