"good and bad"

First and foremost may I say I have nothing but admiration for NHS staff, however I have over the last two weeks experienced two differing scenarios one at St James and one at LGI

Good

My wife (72) visited GP yesterday after being in pain for the last fortnight; he said she needed to go to A & E and gave her a letter. I took her to LGI she was seen and taken into the CDU ward almost immediately, yes we were there literally 10 hours but it is what it is, at least she was getting attended to.

Bad

In early hours of December 28th I myself woke up with pain in my shoulder and arm and chest pain, I tried to walk it off but became concerned, not wanting to over react I dialled 111 for advice, it was them who sent a paramedic who I have to say was exceptional.

They basically assured I wasn’t having heart attack but sent for a ambulance anyway, has they said it would be better to get a more thorough check. I was taken in dressing gown and slippers, I hasten to add, to St James and l was taken to waiting room by Ambulance crew, arrived about 5.15 a.m. appeared to be about 9/10 people in the waiting room, how many were waiting to be seen or were with someone cannot be certain, all were fully dressed however.

I accept it must be frustrating for staff when they come to call someone and they are not there, only to find later they were outside having a cig!. Happened more than once.

At 7.10 a staff member came out to say shift was changing and they wanted to do a roll call.

They came out again at 7.30 and addressed the waiting room by saying it will be 8 hours before anyone can see a doctor so you may want to consider going to see your GP’s or going to a walk in centre.

So basically I had waited nearly 2.5 hours without anyone even speaking to me to be made to feel I was there under false pretence and should haven’t bothered them.

I did not ring 999 in fact once paramedic had assured me tests were positive I didn’t even want to go to Hospital.

I crossed my name off the list and came home.