"Observations on nursing care at QMC"

Following a heart attack, I was taken into A&E, and then admitted to ward C53 at the Queen's Medical Centre. I was impressed with the speed and efficiency of all staff in A&E and on ward C53. Having trained as a nurse in the late 1950s, it was interesting to observe the modern-day approach to patients and nursing care.

Qualified nurses seemed to be very skilled and knowledgeable, taking decisions on the evidence of technical information from the various equipment. There seemed to be much less contact and communication with the patient and welfare seems to be judged from technical information and not from patient enquiry or observation. "Obs" are done regularly and efficiently but I don't remember anyone asking how well I slept etc. Nursing care was generally good from the auxiliary nurses, most of whom were caring and skilled. I was surprised at how much communication took place between nurses (often about personal things), which gave the impression that the patient was incidental to what they were actually interested in.