"Points for the attention of hospital management"

I was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital unexpectedly following day surgery in the Victoria Infirmary recently.

My ear operation was more extensive than anticipated and took slightly longer than expected. My post-op recovery was hampered by an extreme loss of balance therefore instead of getting home I was taken to the QEUH.

On arrival I was put in a pleasant side room but was very disorientated. I didn’t really see any staff other than for standard observations, medication and the use of a bed pan on two occasions.

This was the pattern, with the exception of the bed pan, for the next three days. I was taken to the toilet by two care assistants despite being really unsteady on my feet which was quite traumatic. After that I decided not to ask again and stumbled myself to the toilet myself which was risky to say the least.

Having been unexpectedly admitted from another hospital I had no nightwear, toiletries or basic hygiene products and none were offered. After two days I had to ask for a toothbrush, toothpaste and cleansing wipes, the very basic patient necessities. No-one asked if I needed assistance to wash or offered to help.

On three occasions I asked to have a blood soaked cotton ball replaced in my ear as it was saturated and my pillow was getting stained. I was told on each occasion that they would be right back and then they never came.

The pillowcase was not refreshed for three days and I only had the cotton replaced after asking for a fourth time.

While I appreciate the QEUH and the ward I was in were probably busy, there is no excuse for an absence of basic patient care.

I can’t fault two of the care assistants who were bright and cheery and the tea lady was pretty cheery too and I looked forward to their chatter.

The surgeon who carried out my op popped in to check up on my progress and to give me an explanation for my post op situation which was reassuring.

The longest conversation I had though, was on the day I was being discharged. The charge nurse was really helpful and sorted out an appointment I was unable to attend due to my unexpected hospital stay. He also sorted out my medication and discharge promptly and fetched a wheelchair for me.

In general, I did not have a good experience at the QEUH the basic personal nursing care was sadly lacking. Having a nursing background myself I recognise the importance of communication, just a five minutes chat, a kind word or a reassuring pat of the hand means so much.

It is also humanising to make sure patients have the very basic hygiene care, especially when unexpectedly admitted with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.

Living 100 miles away from the hospital did not help the situation as I couldn’t really call on anyone to bring me what I needed and relied on my daughter to bring me basic necessities when she could get out of work.

I really hope these points are brought to the attention of the hospital management as I would hate for others to have a similar negative experience. Thankfully I am a strong person, others may not be.

They could take a leaf out of the Victoria Infirmary’s book where the patient care was exemplary, and I will post about my time and experience there shortly.