University Hospital of North Durham

My elderly neighbour aged 89 was taken into A&E yesterday afternoon at 3:30pm. What a shocking drawn out experience we had! Staff were lovely, but the process was third world!! Extremely hot day 30 degrees, folks sitting waiting to be seen for 6/8 hours, no air con, people sickly waiting and waiting, old folks left without a drink, etc etc. I left my neighbour at 11:40 pm after having to complain that she was passing out with fatigue! The staff kindly moved her to a side room (after 3 attempts of me asking) to lie down, but my sincere concern is for those patients without support. Such a sad experience for staff and patients 😞

My mum sadly passed away but the care and support she received from ward 3 was incredible . They were all so lovely and kept the family updated with all information. A special thanks to the young male nurse in A&E who wore the angel wings….. thank you for all you did for my mum when she was in your care

After about 12 hours in Darlington A&E my mam was transferred to Durham ward 2 stroke unit. She was there for 2 weeks. The staff were amazing, they were friendly, compassionate and thoughtful. Nothing was too much trouble. The first and last night they looked after myself and family also. Brought us tea and coffee and blankets. Sadly my mam passed away. But I'm grateful she was here with family and caring people around her. Thank you to you all in the stroke unit you are amazing.

After nearly chopping my thumb off. I attended A&E at Dryburn. Waited ages to even sign in. The care I received was excellent. Saw a plastic surgeon the next day. Wham thank you mam. Took all day again but sorted by excellent people. Many thanks.

The A&E of this hospital fails in almost all dimensions.

First, the waiting area is an unsafe small room with almost no air exchange. This room is always full with around 40-50 people waiting there for hours. As there is no distancing and the air flow is minimal it is highly probable that you may catch something from the other patients. Appallingly, if you visit any of the new teaching room at the University of Durham you will find more space and more air conyrol devices. I leave you to do any conclusion on this.

Second, 90% of the doctors treating the people in the waiting room are super young. In one occasion I was visitited by a doctor who could have been a University student. Based on my experience these doctors have not much experience and at the best they can follow the NHS protocol for the average healthy patient that suddenly is affected by a condition. The problem is that very often the patient may have multiple conditions which need to be taken into account. In one occasion I discovered that a doctor found my white blood count OK. However he did not read that I have a condition based on which my white cells are usually 30% less than normal! When I explained this to him, he ignored my remark and discharged me without treatment. The next day my GP prescribed me 10 days of antibiotics labeling the hospital doctor decision as "very silly". Unfortunately I recently visited again the A&E and the same thing happened with a different but still super young doctor.

Third, the room where you are visited are sometimes not equipped with the necessary tools. In one occasion a super young doctor had to look at my throat for a case of tonsillites. As usual you need a light and a wood device to put the tongue down. In the room there were none of these. So he looked at my throat without them!? Then he said that he did not see much (really?) and that again I did not need any treatment.

Fourth, lack of communication between the consultant and the patients. In all the circumstances that I raised doubts and concerns I was always told by the super young doctors that they had double checked their decisions with the consultant. I asked to see him but it was never possible... This is clearly disappointing because basically the patient are denied any communication with the consultant even if you have serious concerns about the decisions of the doctor that he/she is mentoring.

Finally I want to add that my experiences were not emergencies so it may be that if you arrive at this A&E with an ambulance with something life threatening perhaps things work better... At least I truly hope so!

I come with my Tubes full and was told it’s a 6 hour wait, I had been sat waiting for 13 hours before anyone had seen me, everyone else had been seen and treated and I was still left, when asking the doctor he said I should have been called but he will see what’s going on,no one bothered to come and update me till I went to the desk and was told I had been removed from the system!! I had been there 13 hours and hadn’t moved! Then I was sat in the corridors crying my eyes out in pain and not one person offered me any form off painkillers!! So not only did no one call for me, but they hadn’t gave me anything for pain, wiped me off the system and failed to have anyone see me until I begged a lady doctor to see me baring in mind she had her list off patients! Was told someone would come see me after crying my eyes out and not one person bothered!! Worst hospital I have ever ever been too! Also leaving frail and elderly people for hours on end in a corridor!

Waited 5 hours for a Dr &when I did didn't checked me just asked questions,but firstly I was seen by a nurse two hours after my arrival and didn't say they can't do anything about my eye. As the doctor who I saw 5 said they can't do anything about my eye. This could had save everyone s time and effort if I was told that they can't do anything about it.when I saw a nurse.. then that doctor could had seen to someone else who might needed a doctor more for emergency. Our NHS has died. Miss old days .

I took my husband into the A and E on xmas eve at 11 pm and we just got out at 10.30 am xmas day. The hospital was extremely busy. The hospital desperately need more doctors , nurses, healthcare assistants and beds .
One member of staff was really brilliant with my husband and myself and I could hear her talking to other patients in the same lovely manner. Katie was a breathe of fresh air in the hospital. Katie had a lovely manner with everyone cheerful and caring whilst being professional. I forgot her last name however she did tell me she had not been with the hospital long and had previously worked in a doctor s.