The situation - My wife was taken ill at a theatre event passed out and bumped her head. This was around 7:20pm on a Friday, with the event due to start at 7:30.
She was semi-concious and vomiting very severely; an ambulance was called. The theatre staff were brilliant and delayed the event whilst she recovered sufficiently to be carried out of the auditorium into a screened-off area.
It took over an hour for the ambulance to arrive; the staff were professional and very pleasant. They did some checks and advised a visit to A&E; I followed in my car and parked in the hospital multi-storey.
We arrived a little after 9pm, I think.
The staff were, without exception, pleasant, professional and communicated well. Basic checks, blood tests, CAT scan to check for any head problems, diagnosis food poisoning. She was discharged a little after 1:15am on the Saturday.
A few things that I have suggested to the hospital that they should perhaps address:
- Car park.
The ground floor (where I was parked) ticket machine was out of order and the only other one, on the second floor, did not take credit cards.
The exit was difficult to find (a tiny sign) and to get to A&E to pick up my wife was more than difficult - I ended up reversing the wrong way down a one-way road from the car park exit to get to the entrance.
- Cleanliness.
In the A&E cubicles (we were in two during the stay) there was a thick layer of dust, almost fluff, on horizontal surfaces such as gas valves, electrical sockets surrounds etc. These could not have been cleaned for days. The floor was similarly dusty (I could peel off a layer of fluff on the bed/trolley wheels with my shoe) and various bits of paper, tear-offs from electrodes and more were on the floor.
- Equipment
The first ECG machine didn't work properly. The nurse operating it said that it had been faulty for ages but not repaired or replaced. She had to go and find another one - there was a time-wasting delay for all concerned as none were immediately available.
- Equipment
The first ECG machine didn't work properly. The nurse operating it said that it had been faulty for ages but not repaired or replaced. She had to go and find another one - there was a time-wasting delay for all concerned as none were immediately available.
Nonetheless, the care provided was excellent and was much appreciated.
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