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Waiting on my own

Posted By pilingszs89

"Waiting on my own"

About: Antrim Area Hospital / Accidents & Emergency

(as a service user),

Admitted into ED Minors. Been there all day and when I asked for toast after id been there for 10 hours it was no. I was waiting indefinitely as no one could tell me a time frame of when the relevant department would see me to scan me, and based on previous experience it wont be until the morning. As gynae dont scan after 5pm  

So ill be here another 12 hours with no food despite asking and explaining I have no money with me. I am on my own. Not the best care

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Responses

Response from Cathy McCoy, Clinical Service Manager, Emergency Medicine, NHSCT 2 weeks ago
Cathy McCoy
Clinical Service Manager, Emergency Medicine,
NHSCT

Submitted on 09/03/2026 at 14:04
Published on Care Opinion at 14:04

Dear pilingszs89

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. I am sorry that you had a long wait to see the relevant specialty team following your ED wait. Unfortunately, ED patients are seen after ward patients making it hard to predict when you will be seen and assessed. ED staff can only make the referral and it's up to the specialty team to prioritise their workload.

Depending on your presenting complaint, it is not always possible to provide food and drink as there may be occasions patients require surgery and this can be delayed if they are not fasted.

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Update posted by pilingszs89 (a service user)

I was not fasting. I asked for toast. The nurse told me there's a cafe. I told her I had no money as id come in by ambulance without a purse and she shrugged and said "sorry".

Response from Cathy McCoy, Clinical Service Manager, Emergency Medicine, NHSCT last week
Cathy McCoy
Clinical Service Manager, Emergency Medicine,
NHSCT

Submitted on 10/03/2026 at 10:21
Published on Care Opinion at 10:21

All patients should be treated with dignity, compassion, and understanding. If you require food or drink while in our care — especially when you are unable to access the café yourself — staff should make every effort to support you. I am sorry that this did not happen and that the interaction left you feeling dismissed.

Please be assured that I will share this feedback with the department so we can address this with the team. We will use your experience as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of communication, empathy, and ensuring that patients’ basic needs are met while they are with us.
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