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"A&E waiting area"

About: William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) / Accident and emergency

I spent four hours in A&E last night and the treatment I received was exemplary. However my perception of the whole process was colored by the waiting areas in which I had to spend most of my time.It was so uncomfortable and disorganized that by the time I got to see someone I had received the firm impression that the A&E department was a useless shambles.The chairs are the most uncomfortable you could find,there are not enough of them for what seemed to be a moderately quiet night and a number of them were broken. there is nothing like enough room and the space bundles people together in a way that they find discomforting. There is no information to tell them what is going on and when they might be seen. May I suggest a bigger waiting area,the vending machines could be moved further up the corridor for a start.More comfortable chairs,the patients demeanor will improve rapidly.Some sort of screen with a "departure board" on it that will give the customer a clue as to how long they might wait and some distraction,perhaps a TV with subtitles to keep us amused. You need to understand that first impressions tend to colour the whole experience. Make them good and your approval rating will rocket

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Responses

Response from William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) 4 years ago
William Harvey Hospital (Ashford)
Submitted on 30/07/2019 at 10:29
Published on nhs.uk at 11:07


Thank you Mr Atkins for your comments.

Please contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) on 01227 783145 or email ekh-tr.pals@nhs.net who will be happy to take forward your suggestions.

Alternatively, please visit our website, www.ekhuft.nhs.uk and click on the relevant "C" to complete the online form which then gets submitted to us.

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