h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A well written and informative entry.I think by what you have written we have been in breach practically everytime we had to attend A & E Our hospital serves a very wide area and as such is usually very busy all the time. Mind you the one time we did take the shortcut was when my son broke and dislocated his elbow. He was taken straight through and the care he received was brilliant.
Usually tho if I have to do a run to the A & E I prepare for a 6 hour wait at least depending on day,time and so on. If we get out sooner thats great but this seems to be standard at our hospital.

Excellant, well written piece.

Well done

Crumbs

I have just spent 5 hours in A & E, at one point the line of people waiting to be put through reception was out the door and round the corner.They had one receptionist on. Totally daft, Triage was going both ends of the waiting room as staff desperately tried to keep up.If anything we need more staff in these hospitals.They were literally run off their feet. All credit to staff at the hospital they were great.

The NHS is certainly short on doctors, nurses, receptionists, psychologists and quite a few other types of staff.

I must say the fracture clinic got in contact quickly too.
We have an appointment tomorrow for my daughter to see the doctors as she broke her humerous and despite its name she didn't find it funny.(I told her thats because its broken)

I have only had to visit A&E twice and both times I was seen very quickly. Perhaps this was because the 1st time I was having/had a heart attack and the 2nd time I was suffering from pnumonia and having great difficulty breathing.

Perhaps if people didn't attend because they had cut their finger or other self treatable problems the service would be better.

My experience of hospital treatment/staff is excellent but I am sure one nurse broke the accountants rules by spending 5 minutes just holding my hand and reassuring me. Made me feel better but not a cost effective use of resources. Think she should be disciplined for this - NOT!!!!!