Cromer and District Hospital

I travelled 20 miles by car to get to the minor injuries unit after reviewing what treatments were available on the units web site. . I was suffering a severe nose bleed and was in some distress, only to be told by reception at the unit that a nose bleed could not be treated at this site. The receptionist relented and called a nurse who confirmed that treatment was not available and I would have to travel another 20 miles to go to Norfolk and Norwich Aamp;E. She did give me a bag of ice to go on my neck and showed me the way out. I drove myself to the hospital bleeding all the way where I was immediately put through triage the staff were shocked to find i had a dangerously high blood pressure reading and even more surprised when I told them I had been to Cromer first and no one had checked my BP before sending me on to Norwich. The minor injuries unit was not busy at the time of my visit and could easily have carried out a simple BP procedure in a couple of minutes. I saw at least four staff including the receptionist none were occupied with patients. What I am most concerned about is this units inabi!ity to triage risk for patients coming to the unit. i was not in a fit state to make rationale decisions so just followed instruction got back in my car and drove. I cant even speculate what might have been the consequences of me doing this. I dont normally criticise the difficult work carried out by the NHS but I felt that if this has occurred because the units was not allowed to carry out simple diagnostics tests at the discretion of the staff then its failing in its primary function.

I visited Cromer hospital yesterday after my son fell at nursery and split his head open. All staff were kind, attentive and very efficient. The lady on reception was so compassionate and very genuine - an absolute credit to the hospital. I didnt catch her name but she was working 23rd September. I would love if she could be recognised.