Accrington Victoria Hospital

Last week I attended the minor injury unit at Accrington Hospital I had rung the evening before because a visit for me also has to include my special needs, severely epileptic son and I wanted to make them aware of this fact. The receptionist was brilliant, letting me know the best time to arrive and when she would be there to sort things out. This was the foundation to the rest of the treatment once we arrived!! The receptionist remembered our conversation immediately. We were all treated with friendly respect - my son was at ease immediately, which is rare in a hospital setting. I was seen within 5 mins of arriving, in fact we were still chatting to the receptionist when my name was called! The nurse was fantastic and the trolley was the most comfortable I have sat on!! Following an xray and a further examination with another equally charming nurse I was fitted for a fracture sandal and the promise of a call the next day when it would be convenient for me. I could have been forgiven for thinking I had somehow received a private healthcare experience without the huge bill. The sort of care, empathy, and professionalism you receive at Accrington is akin to the ideal of how you would wish to be treated. The fact that this unit is under threat of closure seems ridiculous. The month earlier I had been blue lighted up to Blackburn Aamp;E. In an acute medical situation there is no better care. But I was aware, when I was rushed passed all the people on stretchers in corridors there, just how over stretched this unit is. Surely there is an obvious answer here. All minor injuries could be dealt with at Accrington as they have dedicated staff and equipment already in place. Whilst more acute cases should be cared for at Blackburn. This would alleviate the pressure on Blackburn and its staff, whilst also ensuring the future of a purpose built unit at Accrington and its staff. We have been attending Blackburn Aamp;E for the last 15yrs for my son due to seizures and it has become obvious in this time that the staff and the targets they have to meet (ie. such as breach times) are no longer sustainable for the sheer volume of people arriving in that initial Aamp;E department.If all patients arriving as walk in patients were to be directed to Accrington, I feel it would be a win, win situation for staff and patients.

Reply from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Thu, 26 Sep 2019 12:41:24 +0100

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about the care and treatment you received last week in the Minor Injuries Unit at Accrington Victoria Hospital. We are very proud of our staff and the services we provide but it is always nice when somebody takes the time and effort to write to tell us about their experience. I will ensure that your very kind and most welcome comments and suggestions are shared with all the staff on the Minor Injuries Unit who will very much appreciate your feedback as they always strive to deliver safe, personal effective care. If you would like to provide us with further information about your experience then we would really value this so that we can try to make it like this for every patient visiting our hospitals and using our services. You can either contact me (Sarah Ridehalgh) on 01254 734471 or by email at patientexperience@elht.nhs.uk. Thank you again for commenting and best wishes. Sarah Ridehalgh Patient Experience Facilitator

currently a patient with the doctors surgery at Accrington Victoria hospital, its a bad hospital as every time i call to see a doctor i am waiting 45 minutes to get through by the time i get through to an receptionist no appointments left. it is that way every day! Seriously thinking of registering with a doctor elsewhere

Visited Accrington Victoria Minor Injures Centre today to get a previous days sport injury checked out further. After the welcoming receptionist had taken my details, within minutes I was seen, diagnosed and directed to X-ray. Following a brief wait I was X-rayed and back. After a short time I was seen by a doctor who clearly explained the injury and what treatment was necessary. Following a highly successful treatment I was re X-rayed and then returned for discharged with a follow up appointment made. I have rarely had to visit such a department for myself but was highly impressed from start to finish, with the professional and very friendly attitude and commitment of the staff who assisted and treated me. A big thank you to you all, and it would be a huge loss to the public if such a department should ever be forced to close. The NHS is such a valuable and necessary organisation.