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"Emergency department let down"

About: Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / Emergency Department Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / General surgery

(as the patient),

I was admitted in November to the emergency department because the bed on the surgical admissions ward had been given away. Not one nurse told me there name, asked consent before taking blood, doing ECG or basic obs, I felt that they didn’t acknowledge me! I was left on a trolley in the corridor from 9 pm until 4am the following morning - nobody checking I had anything I needed nothing - I was in so much pain and all the nurse could say was that I had to wait for a dr from surgical to come and see me - I was also nil by mouth and was not put on any fluids - there was also many permanent staff in scrubs so you can’t tell if they are a nurse or dr or what! - then luckily a lovely dr who I fail to remember their name (but they did introduce themselves) walked past me so I asked them about pain relief and their reply was of pure shock that the nurse had said I had to wait for a dr and just left me on my own the end of a corridor where nobody passes - I was then moved to the medical admissions unit which was brilliant - every nurse, hca, cleaner, porter, everyone actually took time to speak to me even if just for a minute it makes a massive difference.

In ED I witnessed very poor hand hygiene especially between patient contact, bins over flowing, staff on mobile phones in the middle of the department (not the handheld obs recorders) most of the staff I seen were not complying with basic hygiene. I can fully appreciate that the uni is over run with high turn over of patients but I feel this department let the hospital down!

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Responses

Response from Jess Saunders, Patient Engagement and Feedback Coordinator, Patient + Family Experience Team, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 4 years ago
Jess Saunders
Patient Engagement and Feedback Coordinator, Patient + Family Experience Team,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 28/11/2019 at 10:47
Published on Care Opinion at 10:47


picture of Jess Saunders

Dear Not Cornish,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. I was saddened to read about your experience of our Emergency Department here at the Royal Cornwall Hospital where staff didn't introduce themselves making you feel unacknowledged and where you were left on a trolley in a corridor from 9pm to 4am the next morning. The lack of communication and not being able to identify who people were as they were all wearing scrubs must have been very frustrating and indeed the poor hand hygiene you witnessed can't have filled you with confidence in our service. This is certainly not the level of care we expect any of our patients to receive.

We would really like to look into these particular events for you; if you would be happy for us to do so or if there are any other concerns we can help to resolve for you please contact our Patient and Family Experience (Complaints) team by calling 01872 252793 or email rcht.patientexperience@nhs.net. Once we have received your details, a Case Worker will get back to you within 3-5 working days to discuss your concerns with you. They can then liaise directly with the ward you are referring to and ensure that your experience is investigated.

In the mean time, I will share your experience with the Matron of the Emergency Department for reflection and to identify any possible improvements that can be made. I will also pass on your kind words to the team on the Medical Admissions Unit you mention, I'm sure they will be pleased to see that taking the time to speak to you made a big difference to your care.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

Best wishes,

Jess

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Response from Jane Michell, Complaints Manager, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 4 years ago
We have made a change
Jane Michell
Complaints Manager,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 06/12/2019 at 16:21
Published on Care Opinion on 09/12/2019 at 16:02


Dear Not Cornish,

My name is Jane and I am the Clinical Matron for Acute Medicine.

Thank you for your kind words regarding your experience and treatment on the Acute Medical Unit. Even though it is an extremely busy ward, we recognise the importance of effective communication with our patients and aim to ensure that everyone is communicated with, in a respectful manner. We have recently been stressing to staff the importance of effective communication and to ensure patients are kept informed. Patients need that friendly face and interaction to help make them feel at ease during what is often a stressful experience.

I am sorry that your whole experience was not as positive but I am grateful that you took time to feedback regarding my area.

I hope you are making a speedy recovery.

Kind Regards

Jane.

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