"Emergency catheterisation"

I have been caring for a family member at home who was referred to Ward 209 (Urology) for emergency catheterisation due to 2x failed attempts in community following an unsuccessful trial without catheter.

The care (i.e. observations, bladder scan and catheterisation) was carried out swiftly and gave my relative some relief. Nurse Nikki was excellent and we wish to give thanks for this.

Assessment following this from junior and senior medical staff was again prompt and a clear plan was made.

Later in the afternoon after some monitoring in the assessment unit, the plan then changed and my relative was advised to remain inpatient. Another doctor who we hadn’t met before entered the room and cannulated the patient.

This doctor failed to introduce themselves, confirm patient details and also failed to pull the curtain round to provide the patient the slightest moment of dignity in what seemed like a very rushed procedure without hand hygiene or donning PPE.

We understood that this had to be done promptly but the cannula was not used for IV fluids until many hours later as the plan remained to monitor output before considering input. We would have appreciated some sensitivity or at the very least an introduction and verbal consent before cannulation. I would have included this doctors name here, but unfortunately they did not offer it at any point and was not wearing a badge.

After an overnight stay in the ward, the patient was discharged home with a follow-up plan in place. I arrived to collect and head home, and after a 3 hour wait for a prescription we then left the ward to collect it.

Very appreciative of every member of staff (names or no names) and we are aware that the ward and hospital is extremely busy. We’d also like to make clear that no one of at fault for the long waits for paperwork/prescriptions but felt we needed to include this detail.