"Appalling treatment by A&E, no mental..."

What I liked

I was given a private treatment room to wait in because I was unable to tolerate the noise and activity of the waiting room, but I had to insist it was necessary - even though that was more than obvious given how anxious I was.

One nurse said I could wait outside if that helped, but I wasn't in a fit state to get down the corridor to go outside

The last nurse offered to make a phone call to my CPN to let her know I'd been to A&E for treatment

What could be improved

- reception would not let me give details in private - despite the fact I could barely speak because the noise from the waiting room was too distracting and made me too anxious - even though the sign says you can give details in private - I nearly left

- Staff have little awareness of mental health issues, and were very insensitive about them - this put my physical health at serious risk

- So distressed by the extended wait then I was on my feet, about to leave when I was finally treated - this was for an injury I later found out was serious - I was shaking and crying and struggling to use techniques to calm myself down for 2 hours

- No way to report details on paper, which would have made it less distressing

- No communication between staff - Had to repeat 3 times what had happened, and how - despite the distressed it caused me

- was told to remove the dressing on my wound and not given a replacement for over an hour- which meant it got dirty during the wait, couldn't find a bin for the old dressing

- Staff are totally insensitive about mental health, I ended up hysterical though I was calm when I'd arrived, all I needed was a few seconds of treatment and to leave

- Treatment incorrectly explained, importance of follow up treatment not explained, told I needed treatment because my wound was dirty, when I had been clean when I'd arrived, had already re-cleaned it myself

- got a tutted at by the last nurse when I said yes it was self harm - perhaps I should have committed suicide then? I'd already tried every other coping method I know

- not given any information about whether I'd actually needed A&E treatment or could have dealt with it at home - would discourage me from seeking treatment again

- had to research treatment used at home afterwards

- opening the door when I was getting my trousers back on was scary

Anything else?

The minor injuries centre at Keswick is excellent, I only went to A&E because the injury was too serious for minor injuries