"Excellent care despite feeling I was not an emergency."

I attended Royal Stoke A&E after tripping over and sustaining a facial wound. Despite the wall to wall publicity about going for care elsewhere and the 150 minute waiting time I felt worried enough to persist.

The receptionist was pleasant and the Triage nurse sympathetic and caring. I was sent to sit in "Minor Injury" area and was told the wait would not be long. I was glad there was a water dispenser as I'd rushed to A&E and was dehydrated.

After an overall wait of 45 minutes I was ushered into a treatment room and cleaned up by a really caring nurse, who made sure to check for any non-apparent more serious injuries. After a large splinter of wood was removed, a very skilled doctor gave me a local anaesthetic and further cleaned and stitched close the wound.

All the time both nurse and doctor explained what they were about to do and why before proceeding. I felt calm and really safe. My injury, although "Minor" was treated professionally and I was made to feel I had done the right thing by attending.

Thanks to all the employees at Royal Stoke.