"Compassionate and supportive staff in emergency department"

I attended A&E in late October 2023, when I was around 13 weeks pregnant, due to sudden heavy bleeding. Prior to my visit I spoke to maternity triage who informed I should contact EPAS.

I tried calling EPAS and could only reach an answering machine which informed me to either leave a message and someone would get back to me in a couple of hours or if experiencing heavy bleeding to call Ward 6.

I then called Ward 6 and did not manage to explain my situation before the individual who answered said in a loud, firm tone that I should not have called there. Not knowing what to do, knowing that I was continuing to bleed heavily and being on the hospital grounds I decided to visit A&E.

I cannot fault the way in which the individuals in A&E managed the situation and really wanted to pass along my positive experience. Every individual I spoke with within the department was compassionate and supportive recognising that I was understandably alarmed and upset. They reassured me that I had done the right thing by attending A&E.

I was triaged within 30-45 mins of my arrival. The individuals who assessed me contacted Ward 6 and were met with a similar attitude to myself. They managed this professionally and incredibly well. They had to push back quite firmly to get Ward 6 to agree to further assessment as they were also unable to reach EPAS.

They quickly arranged for me to be transferred to Ward 6 and ensured I had support from a porter to do so. I am extremely grateful to the individuals in A&E that day and the care that they provided to me.