Quote: Saddened! "
Why did you visit 2 different A&E departments?'"
Because A&E Department 1 decided after 5+ hours that they didn't have the expertise (which was clearly the case!) to make a judgement. They told us they'd 'phoned ahead to hospital 2, who were expecting us. When we got there we still had to wait in A&E reception for an hour or two, before then being taken to a cubicle where the male nurse just left us. After a few hours and him seeing me pacing he let me know the reason for the delay! At midnight the doctor came to (predictably - I almost quoted, verbatinm, in advance his decision) decide to do nothing. So, 10 hours during which time they tried unsuccesfully (before asking us to!), wash the dried blood off juniors face and eye. I am not complaining about that just the fact that at neither hospital did anyone keep us informed (and presumably no one else). Hospital 1 was open plan with 8 workstations in the middle where the medical staff sat and did paperwork and talked but rarely went to see the patients (who probably numbered about the same). I am unclear how this modern system is either good or efficient? Surely, the major element of care is human contact and empathy?
Our local hospital is known as the "L&D". The paramedics refer to it as the "Limp & Dreadful" - which isn't that inspiring when they're talking your offspring in by ambulance! We've had reason to take junior out of there for her own safety before now. The two hospital A&E's we visted on Saturday (both a little further South) were dreadful in comparison! It seems the further North you go, the better the hospitals from our experience.
I will add that locally we do have a very good "minor injuries" unit which is great. Never have to wait more than 5 minutes - presumably as the system abusers do not know it exists. (Edit - or, thinking about it, you actually have to have an injury to be seen there].