Urgent and Emergency Care Services - Snapshot report
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Healthwatch Camden wanted to understand people’s experiences of using local Emergency Departments. They interviewed 25 people.
Many of the people interviewed were referred to the Emergency Department by NHS 111. Some people had had to wait a long time to get through and get call backs from a clinician.
Those people who had been to see their GP or phoned 111 found that the medical staff had already uploaded information about their condition to the NHS system before referring them to the Emergency Department. As a result, these patients did not need to repeat answers about their ailments, conditions, or medical background when checking in at the front desk.
On average people waited nearly three hours to be seen. People complained that there was nothing to do and there was poor air circulation. People often had to wait alone without an accompanying family member.
Once seen people felt that they received efficient and caring treatment. However, staff seemed to be under pressure.
People who needed an interpreter were offered one who spoke the wrong dialect.