Mrs West is the receptionist on duty at St Luke’s Accident & Emergency Department tonight. She books in four patients. Listen to the conversations and then fill in Mrs West’s notes about each patient.
1.
Mrs W: What is your contact telephone number, please?
Patient: My number? ...er...er... 5653 3747... no, 3744.
Mrs W: And the nature of your injury?
Patient: Here... it’s my hand. I’ve badly cut my hand. I think I will need some stitches. I’ve managed to wrap this towel round it, but it’s still bleeding.
Mrs W: Don’t worry, we’ll sort it out. How did the accident happen?
Patient: I was cutting some vegetables and the knife slipped.
Mrs W: Are you here alone?
Patient: No, my husband brought me. He’s gone to park the car. He’ll be back for me when he’s found a parking space.
Mrs W: Are you currently taking any medication?
Patient: Yes, my doctor has given me antibiotics for a sore throat I’ve had for the last three days.
Mrs W: Right. Have you been a patient at this hospital before?
Patient: No. Never. This is the first time I’ve had to come here.
Mrs W: Your patient number is 165. Please sit over there and when your number comes up on the screen go through that door and a doctor will see you.
Patient: Thanks. Do you know how long I’ll have to wait?
2.
Mrs W: Right, I’ve got your name. Could I have a contact phone number, please?
Patient: Yes, my cell phone’s 8765 4423.
Mrs W: Great. Now, how have you been injured?
Patient: It’s my left ankle. I’ve either sprained it badly or broken it. It’s terribly painful and swollen.
Mrs W: Did you have the accident at home?
Patient: No, I was in town. I tripped on the pavement curb and went over on my ankle.
Mrs W: Did you get here alone?
Patient: Yes. A passerby put me in a taxi and I came straight here to the hospital.
Mrs W: Are you on any medication at the moment?
Patient: Yes, I take allergy pills for hay fever.
Mrs W: Okay. Have you been to A & E here before?
Patient: Yes. About five years ago. I’d been involved in a minor car accident.
Mrs W: Your patient number is 176. Can you sit over there please and when your number comes up on the screen, go through that door and a doctor will see you.
Patient: Thank you. Could someone help me? I really am having difficulty walking.
3.
Mrs W: Could I have a phone number, please?
Patient: 3737 0867
Mrs W: Can you tell me what has happened?
Patient: I’ve got a large piece of grit or something in my eye. I’ve tried to wash it out but it’s just getting worse. Let me take my dark glasses off and show you.
Mrs W: Oh... your eye does look bad. You’ve done the right thing to come to us.
Patient: I was walking along the beach and there was suddenly a gust of wind that blew sand into my face.
Mrs W: Are you here by yourself?
Patient: No, a friend has come with me. She’s over there.
Mrs W: Are you currently taking pills or medicines?
Patient: Yes, I take a pill every day for blood pressure.
Mrs W: Okay. Is this the first time you’ve been to St Luke’s?
Patient: No. I come here every six months to have my blood pressure checked.
Mrs W: Fine. I will look up your records. Your patient number is 192. Please wait over there and when your number comes up go through that door and a doctor will see you.
Patient: Thanks. You’ve been very helpful.
4.
Mrs W: Could you now give me your phone number?
Patient: My number? ...oh... 8765 2231.
Mrs W: And what is the problem?
Patient: Here... it’s my right arm under this scarf. I think I could have broken it. I’m in tremendous pain.
Mrs W: Don’t worry, someone will see you soon How did the accident happen?
Patient: I slipped on a wet floor as I was coming out of the office. I went straight over with my arm underneath me.
Mrs W: Has someone accompanied you here?
Patient: Yes. A work colleague came with me. She was with me when I fell and called a taxi immediately.
Mrs W: Are you currently taking any medication?
Patient: I’ve taken some strong painkillers. But nothing else.
Mrs W: Right. Have you been a patient at the hospital before?
Patient: Yes. I had an operation on my hand here two years ago.
Mrs W: I’ll get your records. Your patient number is 203. Please sit over there and when your number comes up on the screen go through that door and a doctor will see you.
Patient: Thanks. Do you think I’ll have to wait a long time? I’m in great pain. The painkillers I’ve taken don’t seem to have worked at all. How long do you think I’ll waiting?