Care Opinion

Long wait for an x-ray

Posted By outflowyx36

"Long wait for an x-ray"

About: Causeway Hospital / Accident & Emergency Causeway Hospital / X-Ray Department

(as the patient),

I had a fall and attended A&E at Causeway Hospital. Between the hours of 12:00 - 16:00, the length of time that I had to wait to get x-rayed was too long. I asked 3 times when I was going to be taken to have my face x-rayed, and I was told that I would need a special doctor. 

I noticed that there were staff standing around, so I asked 3 or 4 times when I was going to be x-rayed and was told I would have to wait, and I wanted to know why people were going ahead of me. 

There were people that came in after me who were x-rayed before me. When I was x-rayed at 16:00, they never thought to x-ray my neck, back or arms and it was sore having to hold my face up. 

I was then told that there was nothing damaged and I was told to go home and take paracetamols. 

The next morning I couldn't move my neck, arms or anything and I decided to go into the shower to see if the hot water could provide relief. 

I did this for one week, in my house and I live alone. 

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Responses

Response from Cathy McCoy, Clinical Service Manager, Emergency Medicine, NHSCT 6 days ago
Cathy McCoy
Clinical Service Manager, Emergency Medicine,
NHSCT

Submitted on 13/03/2025 at 16:08
Published on Care Opinion at 16:08

Dear Outflowyx36

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on our service. Its difficult to address specific concerns on this forum but there a a number of flows within an Emergency department with patients being treated by specific staff, this could include patients to be assessed by a doctor, patients being seen by a nurse practioner or a patient being seen by a physio etc.. This is often why patients feel that other patients are being seen in front of them - but it may be a different stream.

Patients are also seen by order of priority to ensure that the most unwell patients are seen first. Unfortunately you need to be seen by a Dr or nurse practioner before an x ray can be requested, completed and interpreted and this why you are required to wait.

I am sorry you were not given further information on pain management following a fall or an incident when your muscles and ligaments may have been stretched. It is often the case that patients can feel a lot worse for the next few days and we would recommend simple analgesia and heat such as a warm shower or ice depending on the injury. I hope this clarifies some of your concerns.

I do hope you are beginning to feel better

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