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Mixed experience in ED

Posted By Angeleyes55

"Mixed experience in ED"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

I went to the ED department in excruciating pain from gallstones. It was a very busy evening and a long wait to be triaged.

The nurse had said they would get me pain relief, but probably due to being  so busy they didn't get me any.

After 4 hours I was called to get my obs redone and was still in agony and exhausted as I hadn't slept for 2 days.

The nurse was so lovely, her name was Ellen, and was able to get me pain relief straight away and spoke to the doctor who said it would be at least another 4 hours before I would be seen but they would only give pain relief as my bloods were not showing high infection.

Instead of waiting another 4+ hours, because of Ellen I was able to get the pain relief and go home.

While I'm frustrated that I have to suffer this pain because my liver isn't damaged, I was so thankful for the kindness of this nurse.

I know it is so difficult for staff, but a smile goes a long way. The assistant who took my blood didn't even speak to me apart from saying sit there and go back out to the main waiting area. 

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Responses

Response from Stacey Hardy, Lead Nurse CAH Emergency Department, DHH Emergency Department and STH Minors Injuries Unit, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health and Social Services Trust 3 months ago
Stacey Hardy
Lead Nurse CAH Emergency Department, DHH Emergency Department and STH Minors Injuries Unit, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Services Trust

Submitted on 21/01/2025 at 16:37
Published on Care Opinion at 16:37

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience of the Emergency department at Craigavon Area Hospital.

The department continues to be very busy with a high number of patients waiting on a bed on in-patient wards. This overcrowding means there is limited space to see and assess new patients meaning the waiting time can be very long.

I apologize that the triage nurse did not get you pain relief at the time. I will share with ED staff for learning and the importance of pain relief at triage.

We have recently introduced a nurse to the waiting room to ensure patients clinical observations are completed and to give pain relief when requested. This is not a solution to the current waiting times but it provides patients in waiting room with further care while they wait to be seen and assessed by an ED Doctor. I will share your kind words with Ellen.

Stacey

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