SIR - In The Comet, Jackie Nelson s letter relayed her experiences in our emergency department here at the Lister (Drunks at Hospital, March 20). I would like to reassure her and your readers that all cases are seen in order of severity and that Ms Nelson
SIR - In The Comet, Jackie Nelson's letter relayed her experiences in our emergency department here at the Lister (Drunks at Hospital, March 20). I would like to reassure her and your readers that all cases are seen in order of severity and that Ms Nelson's son was not singled out to wait, whilst other drunk patients were seen.
We provide a service that does not discriminate. Despite some of our patients being clearly inebriated, we are still obliged - and rightly so - to treat them. This group of patients can, and often do, have equally serious conditions, which warrant prompt assessment and care.
We have worked very hard to reduce waiting times at the Lister's emergency department. While I am sorry that Ms Nelson was unhappy with our service, it may interest your readers to know that her son was seen, assessed and discharged within 90 minutes by a senior doctor on a Saturday night - which after all is one of the busiest and most challenging times for any A&E service.
Dr JON BAKER
A&E consultant and
deputy clinical director
East and North Hertfordshire
NHS Trust
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