"ED presentation and waiting"

My elderly partner had a chest infection and on the advice of our GP was told to go to the hospital in Sale as they had fluid on their lungs and low oxygen levels.

We arrived at the hospital in the afternoon and were seen by the triage staff and then told to take a seat. Over the next few hours my partner was given a chest x ray, an examination and blood and urinary tests. The staff were pleasant and courteous. The E/D was steadily busy though not rushed.

During the time we waited my partner was very uncomfortable, having difficulty breathing and bouts of excessive coughing. They were also suffering from oedema in their legs which were very swollen and painful. After several hours I was concerned that their feet were becoming extremely swollen.

I spoke to the receptionist and a chair was provided for my partner to elevate their legs. No-one was able to attend to my partner at this time but we were assured that this would soon happen.

We were told over the next few hours that they didn't know whether to admit them, there wasn't a bed available, they were waiting on the test results, there were more pressing patients needing assistance. We would have to wait.

Four hours after arriving I left to get some food for both of us.

Another four hours later, I had had enough and insisted that they do something as we had waited long enough. We were unable to leave as my partner had a cannula in their arm and someone needed to remove it. I requested that they either admit my partner or let us go home. Finally, two doctors saw my partner and gave them a diuretic injection, medication and removed the needle. We were able to leave ¾ of an hour later arriving home after midnight.

While we knew that we would have to wait for attention I believe 9 hours is excessive for anyone to wait especially someone who is ill and that someone should have made a decision earlier. I certainly shouldn't have had to insist on treatment after this length of lime. I might add that by midnight we were the only people in the wailing room.

Just after my partner was finally being seen to, another couple came in. The elderly patient was extremely distressed with chest pains. They were spoken to and asked to take a seat as the triage nurse was busy with a small child.

After half an hour the patient was in extreme pain, doubled over and clutching their chest. It seemed the desk was unattended and there was no-one about. I called / yelled through the window for assistance 3 times before anyone one would acknowledge me. The patient was finally seen to.

I feel this shouldn't have happened, and I believe it could have potentially had dire consequences for the hospital.

The person with the patient said they wished that there was somewhere else they could go for help but unfortunately there isn't.

Also, not a good comment!

While everyone was pleasant and tried to be helpful initially, I believe for an elderly patient to have to wait 9 hours while unwell in an uncomfortable seat is poor service and unsatisfactory.