Page 2 | Passing time and advice in A&E

Original poster

PostMenPatWithACat · 22/08/2021 11:55

Eventually. Got home at about 6am. It had to be manipulated under sedation. 50/50 whether it will need a plate. Not seen by an orthopaedic specialist. All very shambolic. Fell at 3pm. In 9 hours not offered so much as a glass of water or cup of tea.

They knew it was badly broken, and I don't understand why the xray couldn't have been taken during the initial 5.5 hour wait.

Fell 3pm, ambulance arrived about 4.30 - sat in rain for 90 minutes. This was the worst part - like dealing with Little Britain. Arrived hospital at 5.30 and was not personally triaged Went into cubicles around 12. Saw a Dr who didn't seem remotely aware of my injuries. Then waited 90 minutes for an xray, then told manipulation required - with no explanation about why although the Dr who did it was better. Dr then realised my rings were on and it took another 30 mins to get them off.

Felt like the third world.

OP posts:

OnlyFlans · 22/08/2021 14:27

That sounds like a horrible experience, you were not treated well at all.

BettySweaty · 22/08/2021 14:56

Have you considered ringing PALS? sounds like your treatment might be on going..

Original poster

PostMenPatWithACat · 22/08/2021 15:19

I've thought about it, bit thank goodness for PPP. My energies will be expended tomorrow on that avenue. Might send the CEO a flamer as I know him.

OP posts:

Mydogisagentleman · 22/08/2021 15:50

Possible that you weren’t given any food or drink in case you needed an operation.
Also, it’s not long since the new doctors rotation

Original poster

PostMenPatWithACat · 22/08/2021 16:16

Yes I totally understand about that, but I don't think the offer of a glass of water or cup of tea after they'd done the reduction under sedation would have been an unreasonable expectation when by about 4.45am I had not had a drink since 2pm the previous day.

I know it's all about resources but that's surely just treating people like humans.

OP posts:

eeyore228 · 22/08/2021 16:43

On arrival a triage is conducted at our hospital between the ambulance staff and the nurse who takes a handover, the patient is not needed more often than not because a medical person has already seen you (ambulance crew). When you arrive at hospital your wait is determined by the number of other patients, your medical needs and how many staff. Our A&E regularly has more patients it can deal with but generally no one understands because they judge what they see. We have 5 waiting areas for patients now, if your in one that has fewer people, it's assumed we are quiet. If you are not life-threatening then your wait will be longer. The staff are so stretched its painful to watch, by the time we had reached 1 in the afternoon they had sent over 2000 ambulances. Generally if they think you need an ortho person they will ask for one but ortho have to accept you as a patient first and A&E have to wait.for them. Otherwise they should.hae given an appointment for the fracture clinic.

Longestsummerever23444 · 22/08/2021 16:48

Ambulance wise you were low priority, yes you were in rain but realistically you could have got a taxi to hospital. Cardiac arrests, RTCS etc come before you.
The NHS is so overly stretched, your experience is the norm

Longestsummerever23444 · 22/08/2021 16:50

Did you ask for a drink Op? The offer of a drink yes would be fantastic however the nurses don’t know, they’ve literally got a list of people too see. That extra time per patient means less seen

JanisJ · 22/08/2021 16:53

@PostMenPatWithACat

Yes I totally understand about that, but I don't think the offer of a glass of water or cup of tea after they'd done the reduction under sedation would have been an unreasonable expectation when by about 4.45am I had not had a drink since 2pm the previous day.

I know it's all about resources but that's surely just treating people like humans.

Did you ask for some water? I'm sure they would have brought you some.

Original poster

PostMenPatWithACat · 22/08/2021 17:17

Longestsummerever - with all due respect, I could not have got there in a private car or taxi. I have previously broken a vertebrae and it's tip abuts the spinal canal. With osteoporosis, I was not taking any chances and I couldn't safely get myself into a private car with only one hand to lean on.

No I didn't ask. I'm not that rude but I think it was very rude not to offer. It used to be called nursing or caring.

OP posts:

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 22/08/2021 17:39

I’m sure if you’d asked for a drink it wouldn’t have been rude, I was in a&e recently abs the nurses were absolutely rushed off their feet. The lady next to me commented it was like a Saturday night and the nurse responded that every day is now like a Saturday night. I know that’s not my fault or your fault but they were absolutely doing their best and looked pretty done in, all the time I sat in the area I was in I never noticed anyone going for lunch or a break.

I ahead also been there in agony all day and had nothing to eat or drink or painkillers until about 6pm, I could’ve asked but tbh they were so busy it wasn’t a case of not caring more of trying to get the patients seen, treated etc to get or the next one who needed something done. They were all lovely though and absolutely cared but just very busy. There weren’t many of them either. But can’t fault the care. I’d have asked if I was really thirsty though. Unfortunately we are just being seen treated and punted just now, I can’t imagine that every work day with no let up for staff. I’m a nurse but totally different speciality and setting. As long as I’m treated with respect and professionalism I’m ok and happy to wait if it’s busy.

MichelleScarn · 22/08/2021 19:08

Arrived hospital at 5.30 and was not personally triaged Went into cubicles around 12.

You may not have been, but other patients would have been- its probably not comforting, but if you are waiting to be seen, it's likely to mean you're not a high risk of death at that moment.

vanityfairsbackpage · 22/08/2021 19:27

nurses aren’t mind readers 🙄. It’s not rude to ask for a glass of water. It IS rude to passively make a mental note of all their perceived faults and complain about it later

blueberrywaffle · 22/08/2021 19:37

@PostMenPatWithACat

Eventually. Got home at about 6am. It had to be manipulated under sedation. 50/50 whether it will need a plate. Not seen by an orthopaedic specialist. All very shambolic. Fell at 3pm. In 9 hours not offered so much as a glass of water or cup of tea.

They knew it was badly broken, and I don't understand why the xray couldn't have been taken during the initial 5.5 hour wait.

Fell 3pm, ambulance arrived about 4.30 - sat in rain for 90 minutes. This was the worst part - like dealing with Little Britain. Arrived hospital at 5.30 and was not personally triaged Went into cubicles around 12. Saw a Dr who didn't seem remotely aware of my injuries. Then waited 90 minutes for an xray, then told manipulation required - with no explanation about why although the Dr who did it was better. Dr then realised my rings were on and it took another 30 mins to get them off.

Felt like the third world.

It isn't a cafe, Iv been in the hospital tons of times an never been offered, nor would I expect to be offered. They are under so much pressure and little staff

As for an ambulance, my son had a huge seizure and was out of it for 2 hours, ambulance still didn't show so we had to drive and get a first aid from near by to go in the car with us !

Original poster

PostMenPatWithACat · 22/08/2021 19:46

@vanityfairsbackpage where is the note of all their perceived shortcomings?

I was brought up to offer and when someone has been injured for more than 12 hours, sedated and had a fracture reduced, I don't think the patient should have to ask. Any decent human should know in those circumstances it should be a non negotiable. Perhaps the NHS is now so poor we all expect too little from it.

OP posts:

Shieldingending · 22/08/2021 19:51

I would complain to PALS. Nothing will be done about understaffing unless the issues are constantly raised

vanityfairsbackpage · 22/08/2021 19:52

[quote PostMenPatWithACat]@vanityfairsbackpage where is the note of all their perceived shortcomings?

I was brought up to offer and when someone has been injured for more than 12 hours, sedated and had a fracture reduced, I don't think the patient should have to ask. Any decent human should know in those circumstances it should be a non negotiable. Perhaps the NHS is now so poor we all expect too little from it.[/quote]
oh were you a nurse? or do you mean you were brought up to offer a cup of tea when someone visits your house? It’s hardly comparable 🤦🏻‍♀️. Again, SAY what you need

HopeClearwater · 22/08/2021 19:58

Complain to PALS. Use this thread to remind you, that way the letter is basically already written.

Also the constant stream of high volume quiz shows doesn't help - This is so out of order! People in AED are ill or in pain!! There’s absolutely no need for there to be a TV blaring. At the most it should be a screen with subtitles and the sound muted.

Guineapigbridge · 22/08/2021 19:59

Sounds awful. Sorry you had to go through so much pain. I hope you're feeling okay now.

Original poster

PostMenPatWithACat · 22/08/2021 20:00

Gosh, you really are very rude indeed @vanityfairsbackpage.

Yes, I was brought up to offer tea to guests. Then to clients, then as a client and if my staff are dealing with someone in distress I expect them to offer tea or similar. I think part of nursing is also about ensuring patients remain hydrated. Far easier to achieve by offering a drink than inserting a cannula.

And gosh look, I may have got my point across without using capitals to shout and I'd have put please at the end of your last sentence. What a shame you didn't. I wonder, are you so defensive perhaps because you're a nurse

OP posts:

vanityfairsbackpage · 22/08/2021 20:11

@PostMenPatWithACat

Gosh, you really are very rude indeed *@vanityfairsbackpage*.

Yes, I was brought up to offer tea to guests. Then to clients, then as a client and if my staff are dealing with someone in distress I expect them to offer tea or similar. I think part of nursing is also about ensuring patients remain hydrated. Far easier to achieve by offering a drink than inserting a cannula.

And gosh look, I may have got my point across without using capitals to shout and I'd have put please at the end of your last sentence. What a shame you didn't. I wonder, are you so defensive perhaps because you're a nurse

I’m not a nurse, or anything similar. I’m just not an unreasonable passive aggressive overly precious patient. My toddler knows how to ask for water when she’s thirsty 😆

tedsletterofthelaw · 22/08/2021 20:17

Glad you are home and have been seen to OP.

Sorry it was a tough experience but I think it's unfortunately the way of things with the underfunded NHS these days.

Having said that, I broke my nose last Sunday and was in and out of A&E within two hours which was a very unexpected (but welcome) surprise.

Just depends on how busy they are and the staffing. Unfortunately, I think it being Saturday evening probably contributed a lot to your long wait

CharlotteRose90 · 22/08/2021 20:33

That’s the usual at the minute. You were classed as low priority. Even as high priority I’ve waited 12 hours in a&e before. If you wanted a drink ask for one they are nurses not waitresses. There to do a job not running around with the tea trolley. I’ve only been
Offered water when I had to take meds. A Saturday evening especially you had no chance it’s all underfunded these days and thanks to covid a waste of resources.

TSSDNCOP · 22/08/2021 23:04

You have my utmost sympathy OP, DM has osteoporosis and I'm not sure she would manage alone in pain and with a fresh break.

DSIS and I had to kick up an almighty stink to get her admitted with 3 spinal fractures after she sat in A&E for the third time, having been sent home twice because she wasn't incontinent. She had had to sleep upright for a month with one of us watching over her by that point. If she could have walked to the morphine we had hidden she would've taken the lot.

I think you're getting a hard time here to be honest, it's difficult to be heard when you are alone in a busy A&E department. The staff are so pressed they simply cannot stop and look around I think. The thought of going to A&E without an able bodied advocate is not a state this country should be in.