Peterborough City Hospital 2023-02-28 Person 3 5 0

I attended Peterborough A & E after my GP was concerned about my ECG. She gave me a letter and while I was on my way to hospital continued to try and telephone them to warn them I was on my way, but no one would answer. On arrival it was like a cattle market. After seeing a Triage nurse, despite having an urgent letter the nurse told me to wait in the waiting room. After 1.5 hours I was given an ECG and blood tests these were taken by a brilliant nurse and a young trainee. The hours this nurse was working for the pittance she is paid is disgusting. After more waiting I saw a trainee doctor and had a chest X-ray and then was seen by another doctor. In between times I was back in the waiting room that was absolutely overflowing with people waiting to be seen. What I gained from this and overhearing conversations, 80% of people waiting were there because they could not get a GP appointment. The lady sitting next to me was there because she had a sore finger. Another chap was talking on his phone saying he could not get a GP appointment for three weeks so decided to come to the hospital. This is atrocious for people like myself and others that needed urgent care and being held up. The overall care I received by the staff was good considering the pressure they are under. One thing I strongly object to and it should be dealt with, there is a lot of talk about obese and diabetic people and yet sitting in the waiting area are vending machines filled with chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks. These should be removed. I saw several very obese people using these during my seven hours at the hospital. The staff kept a very pleasant attitude despite being under such great stress.