Just wondered if this is the usual procedure or if I just got lucky with not having to wait (and unlucky for being unwell!)
I’ve unfortunately had to visit a&e a few times recently
when I had last been before (several years ago), I would usually check in at reception and give a few details about what was wrong, then go and sit and wait to be called for triage. Don’t know if it varies by health board but usually at ours that’s at least a 30 minute wait just to go into triage
when I attended several weeks ago, the receptionist told me to go and take a seat then she left and disappeared for a few minutes, then immediately a nurse came out and called me in. I wasn’t sure if they realised I was really unwell and I basically skipped the triage queue or if it was just a coincidence and maybe the receptionist just disappeared for a different reason and the nurse just happened to call me through quickly
then a few weeks later I had to go to a&e again (completely different hospital in a different healthboard as I was away from home when I took unwell) and this time I explained it to the receptionist and a nurse immediately came round (not even sure where from tbh) and I was taken straight through without ever even sitting down
I wasn’t sure if this happens if they think you’re really unwell or if I just got lucky and didn’t have to wait both times? I’ve had the same problem before and had to wait 30+ minutes in triage (and then immediately sent through to resus) so wasn’t sure if there was something on my notes about not waiting or if it was just a coincidence I didn’t have to wait and perhaps it wasn’t particularly busy so that’s why I got taken straight away?
i know nobody can say for sure but just wondered if anyone else had experienced this?