"Orthopaedic appointments are a shambles"

What could be improved

I had an appointment as an out patient in the Orthopaedic Department for arthritis in the knees . On the notice board it first of all said one and a half hour delay which then changed to 2 hour delay . It also referred to a fracture clinic although I did not have a fracture .

Therefore why are Arthritis patients bunched up with Fracture patients ,

the latter having priority and been seen ;

whilst the more elderly arthritis patients are ignored and kept waiting for hours .

This is a totally inhumane situation .

Shame on the royal free

This was a hot day in a stuffy room with no windows or air .

One patient was complaining that he had been there over 3 hours since the morning .

After waiting for 2 hours I asked a nurse how many patients were in front of me and I was eventually told 10 . Therefore I was forced to leave and ask for an alternative appointment .

Patients were not treated fairly , one nurse was showing great concern to one patient who was shown in quickly .

Some patients were seen within about half an hour by the doctor .

Whilst many others were ignored and forgotten about .

I consider it was an absolute shambles showing no consideration or care for patients and for their time .

Many would have been hungry and thirsty ; who had been waiting for a morning appointment and it was now late afternoon .