"3 visits to A/E"

I had to take my sister to A/E SWAH multiple times in July.

My sister was assessed as in need of further investigations. We were there for about 7. 5 hours each time. I fully understand that the department is very busy and one expects to wait. We have no complaint about the waiting time. It was the communication that was lacking. No one told my sister what was happening or what the possible outcome is. She asked for water and the nurse didn’t come back. She asked the nurse what was happening and they didn’t know. There is no hot drinks in the waiting area only expensive snacks from a vending machine.

My sister got anxious and started to get upset on the phone. We both felt powerless at this time. I eventually had to get the nurse in charge. I know as a relative I am not entitled to information but they weren’t communicating with the patient either. I didn’t know whether to stay or go.

Eventually a doctor came out with my sister and started to explain what was going on. I had to make a fuss which I felt bad about as I wasn’t the only relative waiting. It shouldn’t be that way. I understand A/E can be a difficult environment to work in and patients and relatives get frustrated.

A few kind words a little bit of communication would resolve a lot of the problems by patients and relatives. This is definitely not about how long you wait but for my sister the C for communication was definitely missing.