Forum Topic

St Mary's A&E

Had the misfortune last night of being taken to St Mary's A&E by ambulance. It was the first time I had been to that department and I pray it will be the last. It was more like a war zone than a hospital department. The magnificent staff had to deal with people hurling abuse at them, a drunk refusing to vacate his bed ( there was nothing wrong with him he just didn't have the money to get home) and a department so cramped there were no seats for patients.  It was the only hospital I could be taken to as Northwick Park wasn't accepting any more ambulances and Ealing had them queuing outside.

Teresa Byrne ● 4286d21 Comments

That must be so frightening. Glad you survived to tell the tale.

Susan Kelly ● 4286d

At least I was able to leave but the poor staff had to deal with everything.

Teresa Byrne ● 4286d

I think it's time to start charging people who end up at A&E after drinking themselves stupid.

Susan Kelly ● 4286d

God help anyone who has the misfortune to end up in the remaining A&E departments if this is an example of what is going on.Those responsible for the reducing the number of A&E departments should hang their heads in shame, they were warned of the concequences yet carried on. They also ignored petitions and concerns of residents and this sorry state of affairs is the outcome.Northwick Park cannot cope with the new system, ambulance crews must ring first before taking patients to Northwick Park A&E. The situation is a shambles, this is the result in too much meddling by those who probably have little or no experience in running a hospital.There is a rapidly increasing population and it is clear to see that having fewer facilities to deal with patients in need of urgent treatment is surely a recipe for disaster.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4286d

Absolutely.I have had the misfortune to use A&E twice in the last three years (both times at Ealing) and even at four o'clock on a Tuesday morning the place was full of drunks often accompanied by the police many of whom had simply fallen over while out of their heads or needed somewhere warm to be sick and hurl abuse.I also agree that the staff were unflappable, I could not have done their job and would swiftly have moved into 'destroy' mode if someone was constantly swearing and spitting at me.

Nigel Brooks ● 4286d

I think fining for using A&E for drunk/drugged and incapable is a possible way forward.It's impossible at this time of year - apparently up to ten ambulances were queuing to get into St Mary's (probably the nearest A&E to Acton now) for 90 minutes or more this week.What can the staff do?

Sara Nathan ● 4286d

And to read that the poor woman who was murdered in Harrow had to be taken to St Mary's, what an awful journey for someone who is dying.  I know there were paramedics etc, but I wonder how any of our politicians who have pushed through the 'improvements' have reacted to such a thing?

Nina Battleday ● 4286d

Neither NHS staff not patients should have to tolerante those affected by self-inflicted alcohol poisoning. Soft touch UK reaps what it shows.

Robert Murray ● 4285d

Sows

Robert Murray ● 4285d

The Times reports this morning that there were 10,000,000 alcohol-related A&E admissions last year. Imagine how well the service would function without being weighed down with people who have deliberately made themselves ill or caused an accident.Charge them for their treatment. If they have no money on them, having spent it all on booze, then arrange for it to be deducted from their wages/benefits.

Susan Kelly ● 4284d

I agree Susan and Sara, those fetching up at A&E who are drunk or on drugs should be charged(and fined imo) for being treated - wasting precious time.Last year, I had to go to A&E at Ealing Hospital - it was horrendous and very frightening - drunks and drug users were being abusive and very anti-social and wasting everbody's time - police had to attend.

Gerry Tan ● 4284d

Absolutely.  In this 'gents' case, he was brought in by his friends as he was so out of it,then fell asleep on a bed and  refused to move. We heard the nurse trying to coax him out of the bed saying ill people needed it, but he wouldn't budge. He didn't have enough money to get home so wanted to stay the night to sleep it off.

Teresa Byrne ● 4284d

Why don't they just have 'drunk truck' let them all sleep it off in these instead of allowing them to clog up the few remaining A&E departments which should be used for people who are really ill, not inebriated!Surely there  must be another solution. Chargjng them for treatment might be a step in the right direction, why should the NHS staff have to suffer abuse, and as mentioned by Gerry, attending A&E is stressful enough without having to tolerate drunks and those on drugs. If they can afford alcohol and drugs they can pay for treatment.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4284d

I was recently at St. Mary's from 8pm - 3am with a serious injury. Great staff and great care. Yes it was extremely busy with the odd person under the influence of alcohol. However, from what I could see they also had injuries - head wounds, leg injuries etc. Should they not be treated because they are drunk? Maybe left to bleed to death in the street? Following Jean's logic we should have a 'fat truck' so that overweight people presenting with heart problems could just 'diet it off'. If they can afford to eat too much they can pay for their treatment.

Sandra Jordan ● 4283d

Sandra, What do you think should happen when NHS staff have to deal with drunks in A&E? Surely their job is diffcicult enough without having to deal with abusive behaviour.Maybe it is about time these people started acting sensibly. Perhaps some are injured because they got in a fight due to over indulgence.If they were charged for treatment it might just make them sit up and think about their actions.Those who attend A&E due to obesity are not necessarily the people who are prone to hurling abuse at the staff, and throwing up all over the floor.I do not have the answers but it is high time something was done about unruly behaviour.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4283d

Staff should be able to do their jobs without fear of physical or verbal abuse. Of course I agree with that but let's not get carried away with the behaviour of those who are drunk. It's too easy. A year and a half ago I spent 5 hours at Central Middlesex. I was shocked at the abuse that the receptionist received - vile, violent, racist abuse.  I intervened on 3 occasions. Profile of each of these people:1. Middle aged male, missed GP opening hours and told the receptionist where to stick her waiting times. He'd go to his GP in the morning and what the **** did he pay taxes for. Sober.2. Couple in their 30's. He lost his temper because  people with more serious injuries were being seen before his wife who had cut her foot. Both sober.3. Woman in thirties with young child claimed she was dying. Hurled racist abuse at receptionist and why couldn't she be seen first because her son had school tomorrow.  I eventually asked her to save her energy for her dying breath. Sober. My point Jean is that this type of behaviour is not acceptable. Why single out drunks who may have genuine reasons for presenting. Time wasters, abusive patients etc. come in many forms.

Sandra Jordan ● 4283d

After all that I really do feel sorry for the staff who work so hard in the NHS A&E Departments, and indeed in other departments who have no choice but to treat these people who obviously have no respect for those who are trying to treat them.My friend worked in a large hospital for 9 years and she really did have some horror stories to tell, how she put up with it goodness only knows. It's not the high salary that keeps these angels working in this environment that's for sure.The NHS is struggling now and I am not the only one who can forsee the day when we shall ALL have to pay for treatment, once it became the 'International Health Service' things went down hill, according to my friend, now happily retired!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4283d

God Jean you've just made a really silly and irrelevant point linking this debate about disorderly behaviour in A&E to immigration, "international health service" so drunks are immigrants?

Gary Sinclair ● 4283d

No Gary I most certainly did NOT suggest that for a moment.I was saying what my friend told me about the abuse nurses have to face in A&E on a daily basis.She said the NHS is in such a state that the day may soon come when residents will have to pay to have treatment because so much money has been wasted over the years.Please do not put words in my mouth.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4283d

Oh come of it, so all went down hill when the NHS became an "international health service" and when precisely did that happen? I didn't have to put words into your mouth you couldnt draw any other conclusion from your comments.

Gary Sinclair ● 4283d

Obviously you did not read the sentence. I was quoting a friend who spent 9 years working in the NHS and this wss her thoughts at the end. You think what you like I can't be bothered trying to make it any clearer. End of.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4283d