To share ways to make A&E more bareable

Not the case everywhere. I've sat 12 hours overnight with a relative who was diagnosed as having advanced sepsis and was admitted for a stay of 2 weeks when eventually seen the next morning. I've also taken a very elderly relative twice in the last year and sat for 10 hours each time before leaving her on a trolley in the corridor as had just been triaged and there were no beds but she was too ill to be released.

Next time I get sent there by a GP (never I hope 🙏🏻) I will be sure to bring a pillow and blanket.

Agreed, last time I was there saw lots of people arrive and be despatched during the time I was there. Meanwhile I had to wait for tests, wait for results of tests.and then wait for a consultant and then wait for meds.

But its also a great way of making unwell people feel worse or meaning people who really need to go resist going until they are really unwell

Softer cushioned chairs would be great. However they will never be introduced as keeping things uncomfortable seems to be a great way of getting time wasters out!

I am usually on a trolley pretty quickly as the only times I have been to A&E for myself has been for heart issues. I have been there for up to 10 hours though! I always take my hospital bag, just in case. Pyjamas, dressing gown, toothbrush/paste, regular medications. Tea bags/coffee/sweetener (have to have decaff - heart issues!) Snacks. Tablet, book, chargers. Water! And always my little softy pillow - a small feather pillow.

If you need immediate care eg heart attack you dial 999 as you will probably need the care of a paramedic / ambulance equipment before getting to hospital. If someone has eg a broken leg then you can wait 5 mins while someone packs a bag - although mostly when people are packing a change of clothes /PJs it's because there is a likelihood of them being admitted .

I've been there twice and waited for around 8 hours both times. Once with suspected DVT and the other time pulmonary embolism. The drinks machine was broken both times so there was no tea, coffee or water. Take drinks.

Admission for my mum has taken up to 24 hours (spent in a bed in majors) but has also been as quick as a couple of hours. That's in hospitals in Surrey and South London.

The other day OH went to hospital after ringing non emergency number with a broken finger, she was given a time to arrive, was triaged, x-rayed and splinted in 1.5hrs and saw a specialist 3 days later, who put a better splint on and went through her x rays more extensively. Initial visit was central London on a Friday evening

Yes, it’s always fun when people quote scenes which are obviously from tv shows as if they’re fact though, isn’t it? 😂

I can't fathom a situation where A&E was required but I'd also have time to pack up a bag of miscellaneous stuff.

It seems as though the bar for what constitutes an accident or an emergency goes ever higher. You can't fathom a situation in which someone has broken an ankle? Had a burn? A dislocated collar bone used to be a perfectly justifiable reason to visit A&E. Apparently not any more.

My DSis sat for six hours in A&E with her son, as his ear oozed blood and pus. He's normally a very stoic child but was crying with pain. She was on holiday visiting me, and 111 had been worse than useless. My own surgery wouldn't see him. She couldn't get through to their own surgery at home. What exactly are you supposed to do in that situation?

With a few exceptions it's not the general population's fault that A&E services are so stretched, but the blaming "stupid people" is quite fun I suppose.

Don't talk such twaddle! DH's best friend had to be driven to A&E with a bramble (thorn) stuck in his eyeball after a freak gardening accident. He could walk into the building perfectly, but was, ultimately very lucky to keep the sight in it because help was sought promptly...

A friend of mine recently spent 26 hours in waiting rooms and trolleys in the corridor with sepsis. Where are people that they're admitted after 2 hours?

That's just fucking stupid.

Not all serious injuries or illnesses mean you can't stand up, and plus that never happened anyway.

Hospital Bag Essentials
1. Personal Identification and Documentation:

• ID and Insurance Information: Bring a form of photo ID, insurance card, and any necessary medical documents.
• Emergency Contacts: Have a list of emergency contacts and medical history, including allergies and current medications.

• Comfortable Clothing: Pack loose, comfortable clothes such as a robe, pajamas, or a nightgown. Consider a change of clothes for after discharge.
• Underwear and Socks: Include several pairs of underwear and socks.
• Toiletries: Bring travel-sized toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and any personal hygiene products you use daily.
• Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes: Useful for maintaining cleanliness.

• Non-Perishable Snacks: Items like nuts, granola bars, and dried fruit can be handy for a quick bite.
• Water Bottle: A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.

• Books, Magazines, or E-Reader: For reading during wait times.
• Tablet or Smartphone: Loaded with games, books, movies, or music. Don’t forget headphones or earbuds.
• Puzzle Books: Crosswords, Sudoku, or other puzzles can help pass the time.

• Blanket or Shawl: A personal blanket or shawl can provide extra warmth and comfort.
• Travel Pillow: For additional neck support while sitting or lying down.
• Eye Mask and Earplugs: To help with sleep or relaxation in a busy hospital environment.
• Portable Charger/Power Bank: To keep your electronics charged.

• Regular Medications: Pack any prescription medications you are currently taking, along with their original packaging.
• Over-the-Counter Medications: Consider bringing common over-the-counter medications you might need, such as pain relievers or anti-nausea pills.

• Personal Medical Devices: Include any personal medical devices you use, such as a CPAP machine or insulin pump.
• Special Dietary Needs: If you have dietary restrictions, consider packing non-perishable items that meet those needs.

If you have time - pack a little "grab bag" with -

A neck pillow
Usual meds and list of them
Baby wipes, change of knickers.
An eye mask is a brilliant piece of kit for brightly lit places at night.
The usual spare chargers and power bank
Earphones - wired so you can use one ear, and the other ear to hear your name called (eventually!).
Notebook and pen
Drinks, snacks to keep you going - if able to eat.

Sounds like a lot, but it's not that much really.

It would also be great if vending machines accepted cards, maybe they do now though. And if water coolers were provided, filled and with cups.

Exactly, people laughing at this discussion probably don't live their lives with a medic alert bracelet permanently on, a handbag rattling with meds and an essay worth of ICE information on their phone.

I bloody hate A&E. Last time I went I tried to argue hard with my GP who wanted me to go, till he finally persuaded me it was essential

But if I have to be there I don't see why I shouldn't have a bag pre packed with things that will make it a little less bleak.

And when my toddler had a suspected broken leg the GP said to go home and pack a bag with bits for him and then go to A&E, so that's what we did. (I mean clearly we should have just gone to A&E but my ex was an arse like some of the people on here and convinced it would all wait till the next morning, so even getting him to agree to go to the GP was an effort)

That's just not true.

I was with someone who'd taken a paracetamol for overdose. Antidote needs to be given in certain amount of time to work.

That didn't happen and we were there 10 hours.

I’d like to see the option to recline a chair and them have blankets available in you’re there overnight to get a bit of rest.

Also some proper food available (ours doesn’t even have a vending machine!!)

I and many relatives have been there 10+ hours on many occasions a few snacks is not enough

Plenty of situations where this can occur.

I went in once because I was pregnant and unable to pass any urine. 111 sent me to walk in and walk in sent me to A+E. I could have packed a bag as the pain wasn’t severe. They needed to do an immediate bladder scan and no where else except a+e could offer it.

A relative was sent to A+E as they were displaying symptoms of a stroke but we’re able to pack a bag. Turned out to be migraine. They were actually admitted for 10 days whilst they tried to figure out what was going on.

You don’t have to be a deaths door or totally incapacitated to have something serious going on.

Approx 22% of the UK population attends A&E each year.

High intensity users are generally defined as attending 5 or more times in one year.

She sounds a bit shite as a medical professional if she can’t fathom anyone having had an accident which requires emergency attention yet who can still stand.