A&E

[SocketRocket]

I had to attend A&E Thursday evening for the first time in my life. I hope it is the last.

I was put on a trolley and loaded into the corridor in a line with around 20 others. The system seemed to be that you were seen and given treatment in the corridors and gradually moved along from one end to the other over a number of hours. People (Men and Women) were receiving treatment, giving blood samples, having drips fitted etc where they were parked. You would be wheeled away for anything like an x-ray then returned to the corridor.

The staff were exceptional but the lack of privacy and crammed noisy conditions were appalling. All this in a Hospital that opened in 2002. Something has gone terribly wrong in my opinion.

 

[Imurg]

It's the eternal problem of the NHS

A virtually infinite number of customers who could need your service at any time vs a finite budget...

 

[anotherdouble]

It's the eternal problem of the NHS

A virtually infinite number of customers who could need your service at any time vs a finite budget...

And space

 

[Rooter]

So it was too busy and noisy but the service your received was excellent...

I know they have the odd blooper and waiting times can be long, but i have nowt but praise for the NHS.

 

[Foxholer]

It would have been a good chance to check th number of immigrants 'using the service'!

Btw. Sorry you had to actually make use of it! Hope you full recovery asap!

 

[SocketRocket]

So it was too busy and noisy but the service your received was excellent...

I know they have the odd blooper and waiting times can be long, but i have nowt but praise for the NHS.

I never complained about the service only the undignified way people were treated. Crowded corridors were not designed as treatment rooms.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Corridors aren't the correct place for treatment. However, there are times when demand and other factors mean there aren't the cubicles available. Majors will always take priority and if there are an influx (RTA, heart attacks etc) then lesser injuries will get shunted. Not right by a long, long way but it's something I see at most hospitals I visit

 

[hovis]

Last time i was in hospital i signed up to private medical care from my hospital bed. I may still die but at least I'm going to die on a comfy bed in my own room.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Last time i was in hospital i signed up to private medical care from my hospital bed. I may still die but at least I'm going to die on a comfy bed in my own room.

That's no way to die, a parachute not opening... that's a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine... having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that's the way I wanna go!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I thought it was interesting during one of the recent junior doctors strikes when managers advised people not to use A and E unless it was essential, ironic when you consider that is only when you should use it. Anyway, depts ran far smoother than normal as the people who use it instead of going to their gp stayed away, hurrah. If only we could persuade those numpties to stay away more often.

I can't help thinking a more ruthless sifting process at the check in stage would keep A and E for the people it is meant to be for.

 

[harpo_72]

I thought it was interesting during one of the recent junior doctors strikes when managers advised people not to use A and E unless it was essential, ironic when you consider that is only when you should use it. Anyway, depts ran far smoother than normal as the people who use it instead of going to their gp stayed away, hurrah. If only we could persuade those numpties to stay away more often.

I can't help thinking a more ruthless sifting process at the check in stage would keep A and E for the people it is meant to be for.

Sometimes the numpties are in the medical profession. My son was taken to see the doctor regarding croup, was refused a steroid solution that would help. Told if he has an issue call 111, he did, they sent a paramedic. The paramedic stabilised him but wasn't trained to deploy the steroid/ did not have it. So we were dispatched to A&E. We were there for a couple of hours.
This should not have happened, resources being wasted in this manner. So be careful sometimes people do have a good reason to be there.

 

[Hobbit]

That's no way to die, a parachute not opening... that's a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine... having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that's the way I wanna go!

Now that sounds a tadge too painful. One of them, maybe. But for your parachute to not open, and for you to land in a combine and be finished off by a Laplander chewing your nuts. I would like a lucky death, not an unlucky one.

 

[MegaSteve]

I can't help thinking a more ruthless sifting process at the check in stage would keep A and E for the people it is meant to be for.

I am no expert but I'd say from a recent visit to Moorfields A+E there weren't any there that maybe shouldn't have been...

Or, to put it another way I didn't see any being shown the door after seeing the triage nurse...

 

[MegaSteve]

That's no way to die, a parachute not opening... that's a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine... having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that's the way I wanna go!

I rather fancy dying whilst in mid thrust...
Not fussed whether I am in a bed or not...

 

[Oddsocks]

I thought it was interesting during one of the recent junior doctors strikes when managers advised people not to use A and E unless it was essential, ironic when you consider that is only when you should use it. Anyway, depts ran far smoother than normal as the people who use it instead of going to their gp stayed away, hurrah. If only we could persuade those numpties to stay away more often.

I can't help thinking a more ruthless sifting process at the check in stage would keep A and E for the people it is meant to be for.

The triage nurse saying " sorry sir, stop being a jessy! You can see your gp tomorrow " is a great idea, unfortunately you only need one occasion for this to go wrong and the claim would be huge

 

[Imurg]

The triage nurse saying " sorry sir, stop being a jessy! You can see your gp tomorrow " is a great idea, unfortunately you......

Won't be able to get an appointment for 3 weeks........
That's the reality in many places and one reason A&E departments are so busy.

 

[Foxholer]

Won't be able to get an appointment for 3 weeks........
That's the reality in many places and one reason A&E departments are so busy.

Couldn't agree more! If 'wastage' in this area of the service was reduced, then pressure in other areas would be greatly reduced! And cost, both financial and lives/quality of life, is a factor that has to be balanced too!

No idea what the trigger for the emergency was, but I would be (and actually have been) able to sacrifice a bit of personal discomfit for the benefit of those in more need of immediate attention! That is, after all, what triage is for! I've even experienced a misdiagnosis, but that was not unacceptable to me either, given the circumstances!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The triage nurse saying " sorry sir, stop being a jessy! You can see your gp tomorrow " is a great idea, unfortunately you only need one occasion for this to go wrong and the claim would be huge

How about a two centre system. Real emergencies go down the left corridor, resources and staff piled into this centre. A genuine A & E. Other, non emergency visits, turn right, be prepared to wait, and wait, and see a gp style service. It doesn't replace a gp but it would be enough for many of the minor ailments people go to A & E for. This covers all aspects but the focus is emergency treatment, as it should be.

 

[Foxholer]

How about a two centre system. Real emergencies go down the left corridor, resources and staff piled into this centre. A genuine A & E. Other, non emergency visits, turn right, be prepared to wait, and wait, and see a gp style service. It doesn't replace a gp but it would be enough for many of the minor ailments people go to A & E for. This covers all aspects but the focus is emergency treatment, as it should be.

Sems to me that this is pretty much what actually happens!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Unfortunately not. Still too many people going who are not emergencies, filling the same rooms, beds, corridors etc. I know it is more complicated then just this, bed blocking elsewhere in the hospital is a big issue for example but a bit like cycling you have to tackle everything no matter how small and this leads to improvements over time.