Just arrived in a&E
Boringly it's a small piece of tannelised wood in my eye.
How long until I get seen?
If its tannelised then you've already been treated.
PS: - just think of anything under 4hrs as a bonus. MIU nearby?
Heaven forbid A&E should prioritise emergency cases.
4 Hours at least.
Meanwhile keep refreshing to see Macattack's fail.
Have some patience, the doc has to deal with the beam in his own eye before attending to the mote in yours - that's the hippocrytic oath.
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If they have an eye casualty dept then you may be seen quickly
If its tannelised then you've already been treated.
Very good.
If there's one nearby you'll probably be quicker going to a branch of boots with an optician in house than waiting in a&e
what tech wizardry is this? for second post anyway, in response to ops question, a nice sunny easter sunday, id say 5 hours min.
qwerty wins, bravo.
Sit back, relax, observe the buffoons in the waiting room, be nice and polite to the staff once you're seen, and be grateful that the awesome service is free
Katie, my daughter, fell at work last night and dislocated her knee. The Paramedics arrived quickly and put it back in then took her to the hospital. She was just over six hours before she was first seen and a few more hours before she was ready to come home. Not a bad turn round for a Saturday night in South Yorkshire.
If there's one nearby you'll probably be quicker going to a branch of boots with an optician in house than waiting in a&e
Who will then tell you to go to A&E
Who will then tell you to go to A&E
Not in my experience
Was in an out within half an hour when I put a 5mm scratch on my eyeball. That needle though ...........
A looooooong time.
Non-serious injury.
Weekend.
Bank Holiday Weekend.
I suspect you're not going to be 'most' in their "most people seen within 4 hours" target.
Lots of fat people here with no obvious injuries. People keeping giving me funny looks as I keep winking at them. Small child has just arrived having gone over the handle bars on his bike.. Bloody cyclists.
Went to miu first but couldn't do anything but squirt me with water.. In my eye
No child with a pan on their head?
Not in my experience
Good to hear, my optometrist would have referred you.
No old codger with his todger in a hoover?
Been triaged.. My requests for morphine were declined.
Good to hear, my optometrist would have referred you.
I don't have an optometrist. But getting annoying bits of wood in the eye is a bit of an occupational hazard in my line of work. If an opticians is on the way to a&e we'd go there first.
In and out in 15 minutes. Never been turned away or referred on. Parking usually easier in retail parks too.
I don't have an optometrist. But getting annoying bits of wood in the eye is a bit of an occupational hazard in my line of work.
Ah, one of the "too experienced to use eye protection" brigade... 😉
Sometimes the offending article is in the eye protection before put it on.
Goggles and glasses are fine for protecting against flying debris- the sort of thing you really would be heading to a&e with. But ambient grit and grot is harder to defend against.
Mac are you suggesting you shouldn't go to A&E if you get something in your eye and it's not coming out?
A&E doc always says come to A&E when it's happened to me
Been triaged.. My requests for morphine were declined.
It dilates your pupils.
All sorted! Object removed, eye stained yellow, home in time for tea
Mac are you suggesting you shouldn't go to A&E
No. I'm saying if there is an optician on the way I'd go there first. I wouldn't pass an a&e to get to boots. But I've had people seen so quickly that way even if they couldn't or wouldn't help it would make next to no time difference given how long we'd be sat in a&e.
If it was a serious injury then obviously that's a different story.
Was in an out within half an hour when I put a 5mm scratch on my eyeball.
Same here when i did similar in the day before Christmas Eve. Checked over at the eye clinic first thing the next morning too.
Pretty quick then. When I've taken people with eye injuries they often are fast.
My thoughts on A and E are that I'd sooner spend 4 hours in the waiting room when I visit than ever need to jump to the front of the queue.
spend a few quids on safety eye wear and save the nhs the cost of your treatment
where are you?
can we get a database of A&E waiting times?
with best /worst visiting times?
currently deciding between waiting till morning on bank hol.
I always wear eye protection after getting a metal spilnterdug out of my eyeball
It was small fragments of wood and dust that blew into my eye.. Wasn't using a power tool at the time.
if you're bothered about waiting times, then it isn't an emergency, and you're in the wrong place 8)
It was small fragments of wood and dust that blew into my eye.. Wasn't using a power tool at the time.
In many factories, safety spectacles must be worn at all times in the workshop, not just by those operating tools (who might be required to wear goggles instead for added protection), or when tools are running. It sounds like the environment in your workshop may warrant a similar approach.
Sometimes the offending article is in the eye protection before put it on.
Eye protection and respiratory protection that are dusty and dirty, usually because they are hung up in a dusty and dirty environment, usually indicate that they are not being used. They should be kept clean, be stored in a clean place, and be on the moment you step into the workshop.
like the environment in your workshop may warrant a similar approach.
I was out in the garden assembling a wooden climbing frame holding a piece of wood when a gust of wind blew dust in my eye..
I was out in the garden assembling a wooden climbing frame holding a piece of wood when a gust of wind blew dust in my eye..
I'll let you off in this instance.
Flippancy aside, I'm glad it did not take you too long to get seen and that it was not a major injury.
I'll admit I'm a bit of a hypocrite, because I do not usually wear safety specs when I am working on my bikes, but I am hoping to get a bike stand soon, and I plan on getting into the habit of putting safety specs on whenever I put a bike in the stand.
In many factories, safety spectacles must be worn at all times in the workshop, not just by those operating tools (who might be required to wear goggles instead for added protection), or when tools are running. It sounds like the environment in your workshop may warrant a similar approach.
Not everywhere is a factory and spectacles and even goggles aren't hermetically sealed - they protect you from something coming straight at you with a bit of momentum behind them. Nuisance stuff blowing around, falling off you sweaty brow, or whatever, can get behind them can get in your eyes. It happens occasionally - I've had to deal with it 3 times in the last 25 years.
not so much botheredby waiting times, more interested if its quicker at milton keynes than bedford etc.
When I had a bit of metal inmy eye I was wearing goggles
Couple of months ago I waited in A&E for 2 hours before I got to triage. Thursday evening of half term. 10pm. Slow stream of customers with pans stuck on heads, drug overdoses, etc. Sign on the wall saying "we aim to see you within 15 minutes".
But what was a bit bizarre was that I'd been seen by an out of hours gp in the same building and he'd sent me to A&E with stats of 91% 02 and 120bpm. When I say the same building, I mean the entrances are 50m apart.
As an outsider it's baffling to access 111, gp phone, gp face to face, and still have to wait for 2 hours to see a nurse. And 5 minutes after sitting down with said nurse I was in resus being canulated and sticky pads shoved all over my chest. Cue 2 nights in hospital (chest infection, pneumonia, sepsis) and a very guilty wife ("its just a cough").
Care was fab. Staff fantastic.
Even the food was ok ish! But where's the joined up thinking? Really curious about the whole process really especially if the sepsis hadn't have been caught early.
alric - Member
where are you?
can we get a database of A&E waiting times?
with best /worst visiting times?
currently deciding between waiting till morning on bank hol.
I always wear eye protection after getting a metal spilnterdug out of my eyeball
I wouldn't waste your time, it's a total lottery - some depts tend to be a bit better than others but for the most part they're staffed and equipped based on previous data - the 'lottery element' is weather every kid in 40 miles has had a week off putting their heads in pans or whether a coach of old people has skid off the road 30 mins before you arrived.
I've never waited longer than 10 mins, but I've been 'lucky' enough to turn up in the process of bleeding out and a few years later with suspected meningitis - didn't really seem to stop moving.
but I am hoping to get a bike stand soon, and I plan on getting into the habit of putting safety specs on whenever I put a bike in the stand.
Reeeeeeeeally? Do you put ear defenders on whenever you use a track pump too, in case they blow up?!
Broke my elbow two years ago. Tuesday morning and I went through A&E, X-ray and seen by nurse to have sling put on in less than forty fine minutes. I couldn't believe how quick it was. Brilliant staff too
I'll admit I'm a bit of a hypocrite, because I do not usually wear safety specs when I am working on my bikes, but I am hoping to get a bike stand soon, and I plan on getting into the habit of putting safety specs on whenever I put a bike in the stand.
That's a piss-take........ right?
and I plan on getting into the habit of putting safety specs on whenever I put a bike in the stand.
Wouldn't you have to littetary wear goggles all the time if that's your assessment of the risk when working on your bike?
Rich_S
It can be confusing but its simple if you look at the info provided.
It seems in your case that the GP failed to inform them you were coming, you should have been a priority with those symptoms. Of course I'm only basing that on your info.
A&E waiting times vary by a huge amount - I've waited three hours but also been seen in twenty minutes. Eight years ago I fell off when solo rock climbing in the Peak - broke my wrist; dislocated my elbow and fractured a couple of vertebrae. Walked 3Km back to car, mate drove me to A&E at Northern General in Sheffield.
I'm sat there shaking while people popped in and out of Triage. Given the amount of time they were in there the conversation must have been along the lines of: "You've scratched your finger, go to Boots and get some antiseptic wipes". I must have looked so bad that people around me were going to the reception desk, pointing at me and saying "Can you get him seen to"! Once in Triage it was "What have you done?" "Fallen off when climbing" Within a couple of minutes I was on a stretcher with neck restraint and into A&E. Got given lots of very nice drugs - apparently my wife turned up just before I was going into theatre to sort the elbow out and I was totally gaga 😆
That's a piss-take........ right?
I agree it's very risk averse and I'm not suggesting anyone else should do it, but I am fairly cack handed when it comes to doing anything with tools. I've had a couple of near misses where I've realised afterwards that it was a close call (one where an object did hit my eyeball while doing something quite innocuous on the face of it, although that occasion was not working on the bike).
So part of my reason for thinking I'll use them for working on the bike is that I'm a bit of a klutz, and the other part is that I have already have safety spectacles from work in the tool chest, so it's not going to cost me anything. The problem with just putting them on when there's the obvious potential for something to fly up, like cutting a cable end, is that I would never remember/bother to put them on at that point: it's simpler to use something like putting the bike in a stand as the trigger always then to put glasses on.
In many work environments people are required to wear eye protection at all times, regardless of whether the identified risk necessitating them exists all the time and in all areas of the workplace, and I guess it's an approach I have become used to.
On the other hand, I will take risks that others wouldn't, e.g. I like riding my road bikes without wearing a helmet.
In many work environments people are required to wear eye protection at all times
On offshore platforms and support vessels, you have to wear helmet, glasses, boiler suit and boots, as soon as you step out of the accommodation. Regardless of what work is taking place.
I tend to wear safety specs at home if I drilling or anything that kicks up dust and stuff.
UK's top eye surgeon, when asked what steps people could take to look after their eyes, let out a deep sigh and said "wear protective glasses" when doing DIY.
Though it's not just DIY - I cringe when I see someone using a tile cutter or an angle grinder without protection, even though they do it for a living.
@Drac - but that's what is the most baffling about the process. I did actually have a note (handwritten) from the gp addressed to a&e with details of what he'd done and what he'd found (actually asking for chest X-ray). Handed it to the receptionist in a&e saying I felt a bit poorly - still waited 2 hours. Can the receptionist effectively overrule a medical professional?
Few weeks ago I still hadn't shifted the chest infection so rang local gp for an urgent appointment. Got through on the phones at 8.01 am which is unheard of. First question I was asked "is it a medical emergency?". Well, no. If it was, I'd be in a&e. But what I'm learning is that I've got to play the game otherwise all the 80-90 year olds get all the appointment slots.
A lot of public reeducation is needed but I'm sure you know that!
Can the receptionist effectively overrule a medical professional?
No, but a GP can ring ahead to say this guy is coming in he's really not very well will you keep an eye out for him arriving.
If you want to get through A&E quick you've got to do it right. Knocked out, broke my back, ambulance trip with a stretcher and straight in 😀
Minor injuries, including broken bones, I find it's a 3 to 4hr wait. Late evenings at weekends is an interesting experience.
Though I will say Merthyr A&E was pretty efficient with my broken fingers. Half an hour wait, x-ray, another half hour and then onto getting a cast fitted, and out. Streamlined process with BPW visitors.
Temp of 104, suspected unknown tropical disease: I seemed to race through the system. I guess no-one wanted me to be delayed in their department.
They did make me better for which I'm grateful.
If you want to get through A&E quick you've got to do it right. Knocked out, broke my back, ambulance trip with a stretcher and straight in
That's the truth! Motorbike accident, out cold, ne-nar ne-nar, in through the fast lane, X-ray, checkover, home for supper.
Hobble in under my own steam, wait, wait, X-ray, wait, wait, it's broken, wait wait, wheelchair, wait, nice pink cast, wait wait, we can't find you any crutches, wait wait wait.....
😉
To be fair that was 2 different hospitals 15+ years apart and it probably wasn't that much time difference but when you're concussed time passes a lot quicker than when you're hungry, casted and ready to go, but they've run out of crutches!
I never complain. I've been stitched, plastered (3 times) operated on (waiting for my third) and each time the service has been faultless. I love the NHS and I reckon it's worth all my taxes just for that.
^ so you're why our taxes are so high and NHS so over-stretched...
Drac - Moderator
Been triaged.. My requests for morphine were declined.
It dilates your pupils.
😳 😆
Well it took an hour at 11am this morning to get an xray at milton keynes A&E. Was pretty quiet
Took two hours for me to be seen at Northallerton when I had my big off. Asked countless times if I could have some gauze or dressing to put on my wounds to prevent blood pissing everywhere. Finally went in to see the triage nurse, came back out and could hear the receptionist moaning about the blood on the floor and the seat.
That was the point I snapped and chewed her out. Pointed out that if she had got me what I'd asked for in the beginning there'd be a lot less blood all over the waiting room.
The actual medical staff were diamond, usually are. It's the thick pitbulls behind the glass that's usually the problem.
You are lucky to have an a and e where receptionists have time to look up. I occasionally attend blackburn hospital for mine and my families injuries, but mainly attend for professional reasons. They don't have the luxury of time to criticise people waiting for treatment
Christmas Day: 8am.
Waiting time was measured in seconds as my backside hadn't even hit the seat before being called in.
Got to see the doctors and nurses exchange Secret Santa gifts and everything.
Staff were awesome - as always.
Apprarently the wait the following day was 6hrs.
6 1/2 hours last night (into this morning) for my partner was taken in by the paramedics from work.
So was seen immediately but then the wait was a killer no docs apparently as they were all tied up with super urgent trauma stuff.
I'd been in since 2am was told at 7 am it maybe another 5 hours! My partner was very close to walking out! As she was feeling more ill just waiting around, eventually got out at 8.30 am not a fun night.
Ah, the pitbull...
Neighbour gave me a lift and waited, I told reception who I was, that the eye dept were expecting me and I'd make my own way there, thanks. Neighbour said afterwards that my name was called a bit later, she went to reception and said 'he's in the eye dept, they were expecting him'.
Pitbull wailed 'But he hasn't been triaged yet'.
Possible detached retina if anyone's curious. Eye chap was pleasant, concerned, and spent a long time checking, then explained everything. Not actually a problem, but something to be aware of.
When it's as bad as badlama says above, could driving to another hospital be a sensible option?
my partner was taken in by the paramedics from work. When it's as bad as badlama says above, could driving to another hospital be a sensible option?
Only if you want to start again.
So was seen immediately
It makes no difference that she was taken in by ambulance.
Drac, my thinking is if they are dealing with something bigger than normal, probably they wouldn't feel able to suggest going elsewhere.
They can suggest you go somewhere else but you'll just end up waiting too. If it's suitable for a walk in centre or minor injuries you will be seen quicker.