"Badly Organised and Rude Staff."

Anything else?

I visited A&E with complications of a pre-existing condition as I feared my symptoms had worsened and I would require medical intervention and/or additional pain relief. I have never experienced healthcare in the Dorset area so I entered the hospital with an open mind. I was shocked at the presentation of the buildings from I assume redevelopment only I couldn't identify where the redevelopment was... Also the general cleanliness was shocking - stained disposable curtains, full bins, rubbish in the waiting room on the floor, clinical rubbish (vomit bowls, used single use items, oxygen tubing) in the cubicles, the list is endless. Even the seats in the waiting area are broken, torn, falling off - complete disregard for patient safety including infection control. The equipment was inappropriately placed for example, the cubicle in which I was asked to wait, had an apron and gloves dispenser which meant many hands reaching in behind the curtain to obtain PPE, at the other side of the curtain in the cubicle was an equipment trolley which senior nurses kept muttering a quiet "sorry" before spending five minutes selecting equipment before disappearing - may I point out that the trolley had wheels and could very easily have been removed for a) easier access for the staff and b) so as not to impact on my privacy and dignity. The Dr that treated me was a lovely gentleman who explained my case, x-rays and plan of treatment to me and my husband in a clear and concise way and with a lovely 'bed-side manner'. The nurses on the other hand were rude, obnoxious, threatening and unapproachable in their general demeanour. An example would be the triage nurse who failed to ask if I'd taken amy medication before attending the department and therefore nearly overdosed with codeine and paracetamol. The radiographer pushed and shoved against my injured limb, despite me voicing that they were hurting me. I appreciate that positioning is important to obtain an accurate image for assessment and diagnosing, but causing undue pain is unacceptable. A simple verbal request to ask me to move would have sufficed. The final incident that angered me was when another patient's X-ray was left on the PACS screen and their friend (I assume) walked over and began photographing it. Not one member of staff asked them to stop despite them being stood right next to the computer and witnessing this occurring. Surely this is a breach of the Data Protection Act and this certainly made me wonder how my medical were to be handled. I have worked in some of the UK's busiest Accident and Emergency departments and I have never experienced or seen patients treated the way I and others were at Poole Hospital. I will in future travel to alternative hospitals.