"MVA of 70km/hr given a CAT 4"

My partner was in an MVA of 70km/hr where air bags deployed. They were assessed by the Ambos and taken to Royal Perth ED. They complained of tenderness to their neck predominantly on the right side and feeling fuzzy in their head.

Whilst waiting in ED my partner was in "soft spinal precautions". They were directed to lay flat but on request to use the toilet a nurse sat them up and pressed down their back then said they could walk to the toilet. When returning to their trolly which was in a corridor next to the entrance for the Ambos my partner was directed by that same nurse to lay flat again and have a Dr review them and assess their C-Spine. The Dr sat my partner up and also pressed down their back then directed them to lay flat and wait for X-rays to rule out significant damage.

I was allowed to see my partner to see how they were going and that's when I saw their file that triaged them as a CAT 4 despite being in an MVA of 70km/hr which as per the ATS should be given a CAT 3 or 2 - where I also identified that a Trauma call hadn't been considered either. I also saw that my partner was placed in an area where they didn't have a call bell and hadn't had a set of vital signs completed.

After that small visit I was redirected to the waiting room where I waited 7 hours for my partner to be formally assessed. Once the Dr ordered X-rays for my partner it took 1.5 hours for them to be taken to Xray and 5 hours for those Xrays to be read by a Dr. Even though X-rays come up on IMPAX more or less immediately. My partner's first set of vital signs was completed at the 5 hour mark since triage where at this point they were moved from the ramping area near the Ambo entrance to a room. I was then allowed to sit with my partner while they waited for a Dr to formally review them. 

I am frustrated with the fact that, as I understand it, my partner was incorrectly triaged and was given minimal care despite being in a significant car accident that same day. The "soft spinal precautions" is also very concerning as my partner was allowed to get up to go to the toilet but had to lay flat on the bed post this. Which means they were also taking up a bed from someone that could possibly have needed it as based on clinical judgement my partner wasn't deemed to be at risk of a c-spine injury. I am also concerned that my partner wasn't given a call bell or told how to alert staff if they were deteriorating in their condition. My partner told me that when they tried to get staff attention that they averted eye contact when walking past my partner. They were offered analgesia after 6 hours of being there. 

I'm not upset about the waiting time. I understand that an ED is a busy place and that the sickest people are seen first. I'm just unhappy with the "soft spinal precautions" and care taken for an individual in an MVA at 70km/hr.