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"Horrible experience and wait"

About: University Hospital Wishaw / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

Arrived at a busy A & E dept on a Sun. There were no seats and ambulances Queing outside. After 2 hours I was seen by a staff member who I thought was totally devoid of any people skills. The staff member recording ECG did not speak at all only to shout out arms by your side. 

The vending machines only contained sweets and crisps, no sandwiches or drinks. I informed receptionist I had chest pain and asked if it was alright to take GTN spray and was told that was fine. 

Patients were vomiting and the dept was not clean. After nearly 12 hours I was seen by a Dr and after 14 hours I got home. Between the triage at 2 hours and being seen by a Dr was over 9 hours and there was absolutely no contact in between. 

Patients left the dept due to long wait of being assessed. There appeared a definite lack of medical staff. It would have been to everyone’s advantage if they could have taken 2nd bloods for troponin or arranged CXR. 

I think this dept requires a total overhaul of the service they provide and staff utilised for the best use of their skills. I believe some of the ones I saw  require to increase their people skills. 

At the very least I feel they should ensure it is clean, patients can obtain a drink or sandwich when services at main hospital close at 7pm. and patients vomiting excessively should be seen and given help. 

I think staff should document when a patient is taking GTN spray. 

It was a horrendous experience. 

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Montgomery, Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 2 days ago
Jennifer Montgomery
Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire

Operational Lead for Care Opinion in NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 17/04/2025 at 17:59
Published on Care Opinion at 17:59


picture of Jennifer Montgomery

Dear Concerned Pensioner,

Thank you for sharing your experience of University Hospital Wishaw, Emergency Department.

I am sorry to hear of your chest pain and that you had to attend hospital. I am disappointed that the nurse who triages you did not show any people skills. Our emergency department is under immense pressure but I would still expect care and compassion from the staff working.

I would like your concerns to be addressed further so please could I ask that you contact our patient affairs team who can investigate and provide a personal response?

patientaffairs@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

I hope you are feeling better.

Best Wishes,

Jenni

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