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"Spent 7.5 hours in A&E due to 'communications..."

About: Watford General Hospital

16/01/2017 Arrived in A&E at 1200 was finally allowed to leave at 1930- I had the misfortune of being referred to the Surgical team at Watford General A&E. Whilst I was promptly seen by the nurse within 30 mins, it took 4 hours before a doctor showed up profusely apologetic (which now I feel must be a regular activity that they must be thoroughly trained in along with medicine) that I had to wait that long because they did not know I was waiting- not because they were busy!

They took my blood samples and promised to be back in 45 mins so that I dont face the same kind of wait again. It was 3.5 hours later and after chasing nurses in 'Minors' innumerable times did the surgical team doctor show up telling me how sorry they were again that i had to wait (remember the well rehearsed activity!) and this was again due to a breakdown in communications between the A&E staff and the surgical team. A breakdown! not because they were busy and were having a hard day handling the volumes of emergencies- it was a breakdown in communication and not once but twice!

Please tell me if there is any plausible explanation for the inefficient service delivered by Watford General's A&E staff who have no concern or respect for patients time. I seriously feel more unwell spending 7.5 hours sitting in A&E that I was before i made the mistake of setting foot in Watford General this morning. They have plastered all over the wall their glowing reviews 'A Patient in A&E had this to say.....'- I challenge the trust to put this review on the wall so that the someone is well and truly questioned on these sorts of lapses. I'm sure the doctors and nurses would go home after their shift tonight and not give a second thought on the inconvenience their lackadaisical outlook causes the patients as we patients have no choice but to go to NHS. I dont want an apology, I want to know why I was made to wait 7.5 hours in A&E and what is Watford General doing about it because these are 7.5 hours of my life that i'm not getting back!

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Responses

Response from Watford General Hospital 7 years ago
Watford General Hospital
Submitted on 23/01/2017 at 11:50
Published on nhs.uk on 24/01/2017 at 01:36


We are sorry to learn that your experience of our hospital was not as expected.

If you would like us to investigate this matter further on your behalf, please contact our PALS team on 01923 217198.

We will pass on your feedback to the relevant team as we're a learning organisation and want to avoid recurrences of bad patient experience.

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