"A&E and the Beckton Ward"

The timings and service provided by the A&E department leaves a lot to be desired. After being admitted to the A&E department by ambulance. It first took 20mins for the staff to deal with my hand over.

The waiting around did not end there. In total it took 2.5hours before I was seen by a doctor and a further 1.5 hours to be admitted to a ward.

4 hours with the most unfriendly staff in A&E.

Overall I found the staff at A&E to be rather unfriendly, uncurteous and altogether unsympathetic.

The only time things appeared to move along was when my mother complained to the staff (all concerned with their computers and an upcoming staff leaving do) and reminded them that there was someone in excruciating pain awaiting attendance.

Surely it should not take a telling off each time for people to remember they have a duty of care job to perform.

Beckton Ward

Overall the service on the ward was satisfactory.

Most of the nurses were friendly, caring and efficient at their jobs.

Sadly the doctors I had to interact with made me feel that I was an inconvenience and burden to them for being there. I understand that doctors are overworked however I matter and only came to the hospital because I was genuinely unwell.

As it turns out I shall have to return to the hospital in a few weeks for a surgical procedure.

To say that I am now extremely anxious about the service I shall receive is an understatement - and that anxiety is not even taking into account the last time I had surgery at Newham general I awoke to a split lip and wobbly front teeth courtesy of the anesthetist.

If Newham still is a teaching hospital it must do better. It doesn't cost anything to greet someone with a smile and to simply let them know that there are exceptionally long waiting times.

I still wish to give a massive thank you to the Beckton Ward nursing staff.