"Mixed review of my inpatient stay"

Vernon ward St James

From my recent experience I feel this ward was one of the worst for cleanliness and support from staff.

After spending 2 days in ICU I was brought up to Vernon Ward.  On arrival no staff actually came to see how I was, I felt they were too worried about getting the people who were being discharged, discharged. 

I was still sleeping in my bed with blood all over it 2 days in. 

I was told my wound will need dressing and changing by my surgeon, day 2 every staff member I asked had something to say, ill ask the nurse in charge, I don't have any time ill pass this onto the next shift. 

On day 3 I noticed my stoma bag was leaking so asked them to give me something to clean the wound and some dressing. Someone did come and give it to me but didn't offer to clean or change it for me. Considering I just had surgery and a huge cut in my abdomen, was difficult to bend or see what I was doing. Managed to clean it and put a new dressing on it myself. I found the whole experience on this ward very much disappointing and distressing.

On asking one nurse if I could have alternative pain relief that my Consultant had recommended, the nurse just walked away. the nurse came back and informed me their computer wasn't working...why didn't they just tell me that, then the same nurse just came over and gave me a cup of medication, didn't even tell me what it was until I called them back to ask. 

I just felt staff on this ward just seem too busy for the patients and their patient focused care has somewhat been compromised! 

I understand that on  some of these days they may have been short staffed and over run by new admissions but I found that from my experience some of the HCA seemed reluctant to carry out some of the duties. 

However there were the odd few that actually did want to assist and help, which was nice when you came across them. 2 staff members were truly amazing. It was easy to approach the and when asking them questions one of these staff members took the time to talk and explain things, unlike some of the other professionals on the ward. Another staff member also took patient care into consideration, a very old lady opposite me was crying and before I could press my buzzer they noticed and came over to her. 

Also, I had emptied my urine in  bowl and took it to the nurses station, one of the nurses who was really busy asked a HSA to take it from me and they refused. The nurse said OK let me get my gloves and ill take it which they did. The nurse was busy writing up notes on the days events and actually the HCA was just walking around. 

I was quite cold one night so I asked a senior staff member if they could get me an extra blanket and maybe turn the heating on. They said they have no control over the heating and its maintenance that do it.  So this whole time there was no heating on, on this floor. And I didn't  get a blanket!  Also this same nurse, woke me up at 6am to ask if I wanted pain relief, when I said yes, I was told I need to eat first! Then why wake me up at 6am?

I stayed on Grey Ward some years back and the situation was the same. I would have thought it would've changed by now. 

I really wouldn't want any of my relatives to stay on Vernon Ward.

Credit to some of the staff were all really helpful and supportive. 

Intensive Care Unit, what a difference. The nurse who was looking after me really attended to me and gave me so much support when it was needed, not to say I didn't need as much support when I was moved to the ward.

They are very attentive to your recovery in ICU and really tried to prepare me as much as they could to go onto the ward  .