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If your seriously ill go elsewhere!

Story from nhs.uk

"If your seriously ill go elsewhere!"

About: Dorset County Hospital

My daughter has a serious ongoing medical problem. We were offered an ambulance by 111 but I opted to drive as they said it would be quicker. After 5 hours I was told there was no urgent priority and people were being seen first one first seen basis.

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Responses

Response from Dorset County Hospital 8 years ago
Dorset County Hospital

Submitted on 25/01/2016 at 19:01
Published on nhs.uk on 29/01/2016 at 22:37

I am sorry to read that you had to wait for 5 hours in our A&E department.

We aim to see all patients within 4 hours.

But at busy times when there are lots of sick patients arriving in a short period of time, this may not be possible.

All patients are seen by a Triage Nurse, to make sure they are safe to wait to be seen by a doctor or a nurse practitioner.

The time that you have to wait to be seen is not on a ‘first come first served’ basis, because sicker patients, needing more urgent care, will be seen first.

There may also be a lot of activity happening in the ‘majors’ area and resuscitation room, which is out of sight of the waiting area.

So even though the waiting area may seem quiet, it may be very busy elsewhere.

Once again I am sorry to read of your experience and thank you for sharing your feedback.

Sarah Silverton, Patient & Public Experience Lead, Dorset County Hospital

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