"Admission to A&E"

Anything else?

I was admitted to A&E after developing jaundice due to a leaking bile duct and problems with my gallbladder. I was seen within about 10 minutes of coming into the department despite there being a full waiting room and once through triage, I saw a doctor within about 20 minutes. I was given anti-sickness and pain-relieving drugs within another 20 minutes and put onto a drip. Bloods were taken and everything was very efficient. All of the A&E staff were lovely and helpful. I heard at least two patients verbally abusing staff members and complaining that they were not being seen quickly enough whilst I was there - perhaps because they were there through alcohol related problems and because they weren't genuinely poorly? I was in A&E at about 7 and on ward 10 by 11 o clock. Nurses gave me a sandwich and I felt very looked after. I then stayed in hospital for another three nights and was impressed with ward 10 throughout. Day and night nurses are all lovely and I was very impressed with the student nurse. One nurse accidentally gave me half a tablet that was meant for another patient, but luckily I noticed before taking it. I feel like the care rounds could happen a bit more frequently, particularly when someone is admitted with a pain-related condition but I understand that the nurses were rushed off their feet most of the time. Meals were fine and prompt and I was generally fairly happy to be fed! The only downside to my stay was when I was moved to an overspill ward on the cardiac unit before going home. One of the nurses on this ward was fairly unprofessional and loud which wasn't what I needed before going home. The day nurses were also very slow, there were 2 nurses to 4 patients and it seemed to take them an age to do anything. Luckily, there was a doctor on the ward for about three hours and they were incredibly helpful. One nurse also went out for a cigarette during their shift which was quite unprofessional. My meds also took about 6 hours to sort out which was very frustrating as I was just desperate to go home. I hope that when I go into Walsall for my op that I don't get moved to this overspill ward again as it doesn't really seem fit for purpose. Despite this I would definitely recommend walsall manor A&E to friends and family if they are genuinely ill. I do not believe in using A&E for a cut finger and think people might be better off using minor accident units for minor problems instead of filling up the A&E unit as it means that genuinely ill people might have to wait to see a doctor.