My impression is that although the patient mentioned extensively in the press was under the care of another conultant, presumably a physician, while he was in the A&E was the responsibility of the A&E Consultant.
I certainly am coming around to that point of view and find that I am having to step in on patient care even when the patients have been accepted by another on-call team. I tend to find that A&E is often a safer place than some of the wards.
Best wishes
Danny McGeehan
PS I have deliberately tried to keep of the subject but I suspected it would happen 6 months ago so I will now raise it!!
Some of our depts are beginning to suffer due to the excursions to the east of us and the immediate dual role of the emergency staff. I know of several consultants who have had to serve their country.
As it goes on the impact is going to accentuate. It strikes me that there has been a massive underinvestment in A&E and things will only get worse. DFM
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