READERS have taken to social media to have their say about the Alexandra Hospital’s A&E, following our piece about a mum’s experience there.
People commented on our Facebook in their droves to express their opinions and share their experiences.
Dixon Anny said she agreed with the patient who contacted us.
“I had to take my daughter with second degree burns to sit for six to ten hours in the main waiting room just to have her legs redressed and it was dirty and patients with dementia were walking around trying to touch her.
“It’s utter chaos and the staff are doing their absolute best.”
And she added: “It’s not the fault of the domestic staff in anyway, it’s because there’s so many people in and out and causing havoc they would really struggle to keep on top of it.”
Samantha Edwards added: “On behalf of the cleaning staff at the Alex (I used to be one of them), domestics are not allowed in the cubicles while patients are in there. “Once they are discharged, then it can be cleaned but nine times out of ten, at best it’s a quick sweep before another patient is wheeled in.
“Everyone is so quick to run to newspapers with their ‘story’.
“It’s a shame the good that’s done over there isn’t reported a bit more often.”
After taking her child to the Alexandra, Louise Mills said: “We went straight to Redditch A&E which was running on an 11-hour wait, and there were so many poorly people waiting to be seen, and more arriving throughout our wait.
“The staff who cared for my child were incredible, they admitted my child into Worcester hospital where we stayed for four days.
“It’s just such a broken system, that’s doing it’s best to care without the correct amount of staff required, bed spaces etc.”
There was plenty of positive praise for the staff working at the Alex while others put forward other ideas for solutions.
Tanya Louise Cox wrote: “The Alex and all staff have been doing fantastic job overstretched and underpaid but still there.”
Possible solutions?
Some people said they had used 111 but had to wait more than 24 hours for a call back regarding their situation.
Others said there needed to be a better triage system and more GP capacity.
Angela Ward said there was a wider picture to look at.
“The fundamental idea of an NHS is good but the whole system needs a full overhaul.
“The number of times where staff are just hanging around (on a ward) doing nothing is frightening.
“Resources, time management need to be looked at.”
Jason Caddick added the government was to blame.
“If the government gave the NHS the money they deserve our hospital wouldn’t be in the mess they in.”
WHAT do you think or what have your experiences been like at the Alex? What do you think the solution is?
Email your views to [email protected]
