Until recently patients waiting in ward 8D at CRH for the ophthalmology department's emergency out-of-hours service had to sit in cubby holes and corridors. But with some support from charitable funds they're now able to sit in their own dedicated waiting room.

The service is for urgent referals from GP's, EDs and local opticians where patients need to be seen within 24hrs, and who the outpatients department are unable to accommodate.

Running from 6pm up until 11pm every day, and all day on Bank Holidays it can get busy.

Staff Nurse Kate Badminton (right of pic) told CHFT Weekly "Up until recently we didn't have a waiting area on 8D.  All the patients and their relatives had to sit at the end of the ward to wait to be seen. It sometimes got crazy with rows of chairs often taking over the whole corridor".

"Clearly this wasn't a great experience for them as patients or our colleagues. We have been able to convert our store room into a waiting area and thanks to Charitable funds we've been able to purchase some chairs to make it more comfortable for those waiting".