"Time we waited in the hospital emergency"

I attended an eye test with my parent at Specsavers and my parent was told that they had fluid in their eyes and Urgently needed to go to the Eye and Ear Hospital Emergency, with a referral letter, from the eye physician, as my parent had fluid in their eye.  We arrived at the hospital just a little after 12pm and were seen by the 1st nurse about 2.30pm and were given paperwork, my parent was given a wrist band with all their details. We were then advised a doctor would see us shortly.

About 5.45pm a nurse came to take my parent's blood pressure and oxygen and also advised there was still a bit of a wait.

At 7.30pm we were finally called in and only to see another nurse giving eye drops and said wouldn’t be too much longer.  My parent was given drops another 2 times after that as previous ones dried up.  After the third time, at 10.05pm we were finally called by the doctor.

The staff were all apologetic and also gave us sandwiches and drinks, as there was no where else to get food inside vicinity. We understand it is busy and there were only 2 doctors on and we were not the only ones who waited so long.  But we did not understand why a lot of people were bought in with shorter time being there. We spoke to people that seemed to not have urgent things, as I do understand the hospital has to prioritise depending on what is wrong with them but the few we spoke to didn’t seem urgent at all and arrived at 3pm and 2ish and were called in beforehand.  I don’t know how their priority system works but it should be fair.  We didn’t play the “oh poor me” game and waited longer.

We would not have minded so much if the staff were able to tell patients how much time they had to wait, as patients did have the option to come back etc. or if they had a system where they could advise that it was their time soon and not have to wait in those uncomfortable seats, be able to go away for a walk or even go get some food nearby and come back.  But this is not an option but maybe they should look into different ways to unease the people waiting.   

Many people were loud and seemed that this was a continuous problem and if it is, why is something not being done about it to make it better.  It’s awful that the nurses at the front desk always get the brunt of the people telling them off, but if there was any indication given, instead when asked we were told, “we don’t know” and this was the answer from many nurses we saw.  In my opinion, a patient should at least be given a timeline and decide if they want to stay or leave and come another time. 

I do hope that the Victorian Eye and Ear hospital do make some changes and listen to the complaints as I believe this is really beyond a joke to have to wait over 10 hours to see a doctor.

We were precious residents in another state and never had to wait more than 2 hours, possibly 2 and a half but not 10.

Please do something about your patient timelines and at least talk to people.  They say “honesty is the best policy”.

Thank you for taking time to read this and hope something improves.