I was in the waiting room of the emergency department with at least 5 other patients. It was around 7am and I had been there since around 2am, not really sure. I've waited longer before, much, much longer. I understand issues such as no beds on wards, and higher priority cases arriving by ambulance throw out the waiting list. One person here had been waiting over 5 and a half hours, and only a few here arrived after me.
This has happened a lot (I'm a frequent flyer) and often we are told that there are only a small amount of doctors on overnight. And fast track is not open at all times. I understand that it is an inefficiency to run fast track 24/7, or employ an extra doctor overnight, but time and time again I see the waiting room and think, surely this can be improved.
Waiting causes my anxiety to go up and waiting in a room full of sick, tired and grumpy people is even less helpful.
I guess we just have to wait until handover has happened and more staff are available.
"Waiting times in emergency and under staffing"
About: Box Hill Hospital / Emergency Department Box Hill Hospital Emergency Department Box Hill 3128
Posted by Vanessa Sunshine (as ),
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