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Very bad set up for patients

Posted By Jillh

"Very bad set up for patients"

About: Perth Royal Infirmary / Clinical Investigations Unit Perth Royal Infirmary / Radiology (X-rays and Scans)

(as the patient),

Was due to attend CIU for my monthly treatment for my disability. CIU has recently moved to behind Xray and A&E. I tried to walk through Xray (which I had done 3 x previously and never questioned) to get to CIU when a member of staff at reception stopped me and told me xray was a clinical area and I would have to go all the way back to the stairs, upstairs and along to the lift and down to level 1. This brought me out at the end of the Xray corridor, which I could see from reception.

This is all well and good for able bodied persons but not for people with disabilities and walking issues.

I think that staff need to have a bit more empathy towards people as being made to feel like a child doing something wrong is not a professional way to treat patients.

Also, are you able to clarify why the way out sign takes me through xray when I wish to leave, but no clinical signs are posted anywhere? How is it OK to walk through this way to get out but not in?

If you are going to move departments, please take into consideration patients getting to and from there. Why are patients being sent a long detour up to level 3 to get a lift and then come out of the lift at xray but we are not allowed to go through xray to get to CIU but can walk out that way?

I am well aware there are porters who could provide a wheelchair to get me to CIU. I know previously, there is usually a wait for this and can you clarify if they would go all the way up to level 3 for the lift or would they take you through xray?

Very bad set up for patients and now my anxiety is high thinking of going back .

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Responses

Response from Cathy O'Neill, Lead Radiographer, PRI Radiology Department, NHS Tayside 5 months ago
Cathy O'Neill
Lead Radiographer, PRI Radiology Department,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 23/11/2023 at 17:39
Published on Care Opinion at 17:39

Dear Jillh

I am sorry that you had difficulty in accessing the CIU on your recent visit to PRI. Radiology is a busy clinical department and is not a thoroughfare for staff or patients to access other departments. The main reasons for this are to respect the dignity of patients who may be dressed in x-ray gowns, to ensure the corridors are clear and accessible for in-patients coming to Radiology on beds, trolleys and chairs, and to prevent unauthorised access to the x-ray rooms which is dangerous and would also breach Radiation regulations.

Unfortunately the design of PRI means there is no other access to CIU and Endoscopy other than via level 3 as you describe. Assistance for people with reduced mobility is however available from the main hospital reception by asking staff at the reception desk who will summon a porter to assist.

I understand that you came to Radiology reception and were told you could not come through the department, so I will make sure that our receptionists ask patients if they will need any assistance to go the longer way, and to call the porters if help is required.

The rear doors are not a general way out for people other than Radiology patients and is signed as such.

I will bring your comments to the attention of our Hospital Services team to ensure that assistance is available via the portering service. I hope that this explains the situation and will help should you need to visit CIU again.

Kind Regards

Cathy

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Update posted by Jillh (the patient)

Thank you for your reply.

I would like to point out that the way out signs do not stipulate that CIU patients cannot follow the hospital signage. Even though it says way out.

Seems very bad CIU patients are being treated very differently from others accessing other departments. Some patients have disabilities and the stress of this does not help them, in fact makes them feel worse. Very, very poor set up for CIU patients. No thought was given when this was decided to move areas.

The CIU staff are amazing and were so apologetic when I informed them of my issue and why I was late for my appointment.

Response from Lesley Kram, Senior Nurse, Admission Avoidance, NHS Tayside 5 months ago
We are preparing to make a change
Lesley Kram
Senior Nurse, Admission Avoidance,
NHS Tayside

Senior Nurse, Admission Avoidance

Submitted on 24/11/2023 at 15:29
Published on Care Opinion at 17:03

picture of Lesley Kram

Dear Jillh

Thank you for taking the time to post your valuable feedback.

I apologise that you had difficulty in accessing CIU and were subsequently late for your appointment, due to the route into the unit in its new location, and acknowledge that this will have been very stressful for you. I will review the current signage and route to ensure that patients are clearly and appropriately directed to and from the unit.

Thank you for highlighting this important issue.

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Response from Lesley Kram, Senior Nurse, Admission Avoidance, NHS Tayside 4 months ago
We have made a change
Lesley Kram
Senior Nurse, Admission Avoidance,
NHS Tayside

Senior Nurse, Admission Avoidance

Submitted on 27/12/2023 at 11:10
Published on Care Opinion at 11:20

picture of Lesley Kram

Dear Jillh

In response to your feedback, I can confirm that the signage to CIU from the main entrance, and from CIU to the exit has now been reviewed and updated.

We acknowledge the route to the new location is difficult for any patient with mobility issues. I have passed your feedback around a potential wait for a porter, and the chosen route, to the appropriate team, to provide them opportunity to respond to you directly.

I hope the review of our signage, and the availability of a porter to assist you, has a positive impact on your ability to access our unit with ease on your next visit.

Thank you once again for providing your valued feedback

Lesley Kram

Senior Nurse

Admission avoidance

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