"Emergency Department Waiting Area"

Recently I visited the emergency department at Bunbury hospital with my child who had food lodged in their oesophagus. We had tried a local GP practice near where the incident occurred first, however they sent us to ED for care. In my opinion, the department was obviously very busy. I feel the staff did a brilliant job. At one point a nurse and doctor were in the waiting area assessing patients, taking obs and providing medication where appropriate. The nurse attending to the patients in the waiting area kept explaining to people there were still no beds available in ED and, I feel, did her best to look after patients in the waiting area.

I understand a couple sitting opposite were waiting to be seen due to a reaction to recent chemotherapy. Nearby was sitting a parent and child who was vomiting. It made me think if there was any way a service could help prevent cancer patients in this situation having to seek help in ED. I felt it was such a long wait for them in uncomfortable circumstances and I, perhaps like them, was wondering if the patient was being exposed to a gastro bug whilst in ED. It would be great to think there was a pathway other than ED for cancer patients. Perhaps there is and we just aren't aware.