Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital - Cramlington

Hazel M.

My husband had severe back pain and leg pain and was advised to go to Cramlington A &E, which we did on Monday 3rd. We didn't have to wait very long before seeing the first medic. In the time we were there (9 hours) we interacted with at least ten people from receptionist, porters, doctors and nurses. EVERYONE treated us with kindness, patience and respect.
It was a long, tiring day for two oldies but the treatment my husband received was first rate.

Ali B.

Absolutely first class care at Ambulatory Care at Cramlington, I was bought in with breathing problems ( or lack of breathing) The staff were amazing, I had all my obs taken within 5 minutes of being there, bloods taken & taken up for an x ray. The doctor was brilliant, he came to see me 3 times in all the time I was there. I was treated with the upmost care & dedication. Even though all the staff were very busy, they were happy to help, they were incredibly supportive & polite.

Ken W.

Admitted early on Friday morning after dialing 999 as advised by online 111 symptoms check. Everyone from 999 call handler, paramedics, nurses, ancillary staff, doctors and consultants were lovely and caring.

I was kept fully informed as to what was going on at all times. Yes I had to wait at times between being seen but I wasn't the only patient there (the clue is in the word patient), so waiting is inevitable, not the fault of the staff.

All in all Cramlington hospital is a fantastic advert for the NHS and shows the dedication of all the frontline staff within it. Just remember to treat them with the respect you expect from them.

michael C.

My husband gaz broke his knee cap in four places . Had operation and the staff were fantastic. nurse.doctors. health care assistant were very good with gaz and big big thank you for looking after gaz. Great staff very clean hospital .

Ashley T.

I wanted to say a big thank you to the emergency department team. I came in to the department with bad burns, I was booked in and triaged very quickly, I was seen and given pain relief very quickly. I felt very well looked after. I want to give a special thank you to Sr Hannah and Dr Eamonn who were simply amazing! It was quite a traumatic accident and they were both very caring, reassuring and efficient x x x

Geri G.

Ambulance staff really lovely. Though there is a shortage of availability so for emergencies 20+ mins maybe. They really need to get more of them services.
The A&E
Few beds when brought in by ambulance. I just needed to be laying down and was happy being leggy alone but sadly the nurses were busy hovering with each other and treating the really ill people who were in pain and talking through that but with please and thank yous with absolutely no hospitality. One man couldn't breathe and was really struggling no oxygen mask or seeing to him. Who ever was was talking to him like an inconvenience. He was crying out for a blanket cos he was so cold and the double doors were closed to him. Just spoken to and even attended to like he was a pain in the as to him attitude. So shameful they treated someone so badly especially cos he sounded so badly out of breath and like his lungs were squashed.

I waiting for maybe an hour just to have my ECG and bloods done. After that I was moved to the general waiting area to sit and wait. Good thing I came with my blanket and coat. I would recommend a bag with food and water and power banks for your phone.

My 4.5 hrs waiting time with 65 patients at night was 11hrs. There were hardly any people in the waiting room. Maybe 10 max!
An elderly gentleman Asian who was 71 yrs old and in a wheel chair with two walkers was pleadings to asking when he would be seen. And totally ignored. The agitated man then said I'm dead with a heart attack and you still won't know. Is this a hospital. Nobody is answering. In all honesty it doesn't take much for them to look and see he's disabled or handicapped and can't walk. He goes ignore and he leaves his wheelchair and speaks. Through the night again he goes on asking for help and some nurse comes to tell him off that he's disturbing the front desk staff and to not. I found this utterly disgusting that they would turn around and say this when they hadn't seen to him or make a man have to go get his own help when he's handicapped.
Later he asks for water around 5.30am begging and asking what has he done wrong for them to ignore him. Saying he's 71 years old and go take putty on him. To get him some water. Honestly it was disgusting the front desk was shouting at him saying get up and come to the desk - they weren't blind they wanted this man who was on a wheel chair and now struggling with two walking sticks to come. The poor man was struggling to even stand.
I was so triggered. Even though my own health issues, that I got up and changed and had to tell him to sit back down that I'll get it. And the front desk has to let me in through the doors where the doctors see you to get to a water cooler! Honestly the hospital put one by the waiting room if your staff don't know how to show hospitality to the elderly and disabled.

I was smiling and polite so they were nice to me. Clearly staff who have only care for people who are not in pain looking. And no empathy and understanding working there at the front! Also again hovering at the desk taking their time. Not running like an A&E rather some spa. Appalling. They need a reminder to see people and only delays should be the bloods and scannings and waiting on those.

I got seen in the morning 11 hrs later. Only to not know what but she sent home with meds for the symptoms and asked to come again if it gets worse or see the doctor for antibiotics. I was so done by the poor and lack of expertise. And I was been seen by the head doctor that night. My chatGPT did a better job having told it my medical history and what I came in with about tests and things to look at. I didn't want to insult and ask the doctor about ruling out those. I felt like she wasn't worth my effort I'd rather risk and go see my GP and and ask to be referred to a specialist and have my test done..
After again chatting taking time like spa not a&e.
NHS needs AI camera to monitor performance and speed of a&e doctors and staff -those waiting times would save money &lives.

In short only the ambulance did a good job.

Jonathan-Fin T.

I was incredibly poorly with a viral infection and they went above and beyond to look after me. Everyone did their best to make sure I received all the treatment I needed. Clean rooms, good catering service asking frequently if I wanted refreshments, compassionate and competent nurses.

Clark N.

My father took a fall Saturday evening and ended up being taken to the Emergency Dept by Ambulance and eventually admitted to a ward. I cannot fault the standard of care he has received or a single member of staff. Everyone who came to look after him as been so cheerful, chatty, helpful and given him so much respect and his care has been delivered with so much dignity. I cannot mention any one by name and as I can't use my father's name either individuals may not be able to see this and know that they have been so amazing. When we hear so much in the media about the failing NHS, this experience has shown that excellence can be achieved. To all the staff in the Emergency Department, and Ward 1 where he is currently being looked after.......from myself, my brother and most importantly my Mother (who received just as much care and attention) a massive Thankyou to you all.