"A&E Experience - Victoria Hospital"

I was taken to A&E Victoria by ambulance with suspected sepsis. Due to there being no beds available at Resus, I was instructed by a paramedic to attend the waiting room but was urged by same that I wouldn't be there long, as they had carried out a handover with nursing staff and that I would be triaged almost immediately.

The waiting area was very busy, however the paramedics explanation did not become reality as despite having whole body pain, temperature of 39.4, and severe pain and redness in arm with tracking lines coming from same, I waited in the waiting room for just under two hours. My family had to alert staff five times that I was deteriorating in the waiting area and needed urgent help. Despite this, other patients who arrived after me were being seen before me and these patients were able to walk, talk, joking with family and eating snacks whilst I was on the verge of unconsciousness.

A family member, who is a nurse, was with me the whole time had called the ambulance on the basis that I would be seen quicker once at A&E, despite them not wanting to make that call due to 999 being for emergencies where they are near to or are life threatening. This was reiterated by the attending paramedics who stated we had done the right thing and also to A&E receptionists by family. During the wait as my condition declined, my family member was told by a nurse that just because I was in via ambulance this does not give me the right for priority to be seen. I find this absolutely ridiculous that despite it being a query for sepsis, I had to wait two hours to be seen, over patients who were in a more fit state with less severe concerns.

However, after the two-hour wait I was seen by the consultant on duty for A&E. After taking one look at me on initial triage,the consultant realized how serious it was and ushered me to Majors, where I was provided a bay and a bed to relax, where the consultant also explained the situation and course of action. I was then treated by a staff nurse, who I cannot commend enough for their care, attention and professionalism whilst supporting my family and treating me through a very traumatic experience for everyone involved.

The consultant also checked up on me regularly and assured me I would be admitted and in good hands. I would like to reiterate that the consultant was remarkable in their professionalism and how they were able to take the time and care for me on a busy night.

Prior to heading to my new ward, I was also met by the clinical fellow for Ward 33.They explained my course of treatment and stated that I would be put up to the ward for a course of antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

I was appalled that despite being rushed in by ambulance on a priority call, I was left waiting in a busy, riotous waiting room for two hours whilst drifting in and out of consciousness and being overlooked by receptionists and the triaging nurses. Despite this, once I had made it through the door and into majors, the care was excellent.

I am only thankful that I caught the cellulitis at its early stages, as time is precious for this sort of infection, and to look back and have lost two hours in A&E at crucial times is a scary thought, I hope no one has to go through this, as if it had not been detected until later and I had to endure that wait, who knows how bad the blood poisoning could have spread. Through, in my opinion, the fault of an A&E allocation/handover system.

I strongly believe that patient condition should overwrite the first in, first seen mentality.