Attended A&E for an ongoing health problem which had suddenly flared up. Arrived around 6pm, and a 12h wait to be seen by a doctor. Medical staff, nurses, doctors, health care assistants, catering staff, cleaners and others were without exception, patient, kind, caring, compassionate and thoughtful, though working in the most unacceptable conditions due to extreme understaffing. For many hours during the night, there was only one doctor available to see 120 patients, as the others were occupied in resus, resulting in average waits of 10h for patients, including elderly and frail patients who were waiting in wheelchairs for all of this time. 3 nursing staff were run ragged for the whole of their 12h shift. Heroic staff showed especial kindness to those with learning and mental health difficulties who attended the Dept. These (Dickensian) working conditions are completely unacceptable for staff, and the Health and Safety Executive should take a look at the institutional risk assessments for stress, to see if they are credible. I would be interested to hear from the Chief Executive, how the current workforce plan is addressing these issues. Quite frankly, I am surprised that staff are turning up at all to face these daily pressures, and wholly sympathise with them for striking. Severe understaffing needs urgent action, right now. If I were the Chief Executive, I would be hanging my head in shame at presiding over these appalling working conditions. Obviously all of these issues have severe knock-on effects for patient care.