"Post operative care improvements"

Anything else?

I was admitted to hospial on April 30th and had my operation on May 1st. After what was quite a big operation I was told I could go home on May 5th. For various reasons this didn't happen and as I then had a high temperature the doctors had to find out what was causing it. It turned out that he wound (approx 12") was infected. I went back to theatre for another operation to get rid of the abcess on 10th May. I had a drain in the wound and was told that it would stay in place for eight weeks. I attended the open surgery on ward 22 almost weekly for many weeks. After three weeks it was decided that the drain could be removed and that the hole that was left in my belly would drain the fluid that was left behind. By the next week the fluid that was draining out was thick, green and foul smelling. I was prescribed many lots of antibiotics and this went on for another six weeks. After seeing a different doctor it was decided that I needed another operation as the infection was coming from another abcess. I was admitted to ward 8 and had the first of four sleepless nights. This is a busy ward and the time I spent there both before and after my operation was exceptionally busy even to the point of needing a security guard on the bay as one of the patients kept trying to leave. After insisting that I was moved I was moved back to ward 22 and did at least get some rest. The fist doctor that I saw told me I could go home the day after my third operation but the nursing staff disagreed with him as I had a hole in my belly that measured 6" accross by almost 3" deep that was being packed and dressed regularly. In total I stayed in hospital 11 days for this operation. Apart from that one doctor everyone that I came into contact with was brilliant. The care that I had as an inpatient was second to none but I feel that the after care could be impoved hugely. Ward 22 run an open surgery on Wednesdays between 2pm-3pm for anyone who needs advice or who needs to see a doctor about their care. After the second operation I was told to come to this clinic and always arrived promptly at 2pm. Some days I would still be waiting to be seen at 5pm. I feel that if they are offering this service then someone should be available within reason to see the patients that attend. I have been told that because I was dealing with this so well (a hole in my belly with a stoma bag catching the discharge) that we'll send you home and see if we can work out what to do with you. I had ultrasound scans that showed the pus filled abcess and one consultant suggesting that I had a differnt sort of drain put in and someone from X-ray deciding that it didn't need doing so once again I came home having had no treatment. I have waited in day rooms either on ward 22 or ward 8 for more hours han I care to think about. The final insult came when they had the wrong address on my notes and the follow up appointment which should be within four weeks has been offered for 13th November.