At 5.00am this morning I was off to A & E at our local NHS hospital. Teenage son had severe stomach ache and vomiting. Could it be appendicitis? After two days of this there was no point in risking it. He was admitted to the assessment ward where, in the next bed, an American accident victim was waiting to be seen. At one point she staggered out of bed complaining of nausea and the need urgently to get to the toilet. No one came to assist her. All the nurses were gossiping and joking round the front desk. She called out. Finally a nurse wandered past and the American asked for the patients’ bathroom. The nurse said she had "absolutely no idea" where it was!  She had to go off and find out!

What is going on in the NHS that ill patients cannot immediately be ushered to a toilet when they need one?

It's a disgrace.

After two hours we were sent home.  Acute gastroenteritis diagnosed.