"Ward 34 LRI"

I was a patient on Ward 34 at LRI between the dates specified above. I had been admitted to have a colostomy prior to treatment for bowel cancer. Overall, my experience was very positive; I felt very well looked-after, cared for and safe. The staff, without exception from the consultant/s to the cleaners, were tremendous, very friendly and supportive of my needs. The Ward, throughout my stay, was run very efficiently and smoothly by the various staff nurses on duty and I have nothing but high praise and compliments for the staffs' professionalism. The hospital food was similarly excellent with a good choice available which was served and presented in a very appetising way; needless to say, it was vey tasty and one would struggle to go hungry!! The Ward throughout, inclusive of the patients' toilet and bathroom facilities, was kept clean and hygeinic at all times. As stated, I am a very satisfied patient/customer and I can't thank the hospital enough for the treatment I received. However, whilst writing I have two comments to make which I hope lessons could be learnt from: 1. On Thursday 9th January during the daytime the Ward was being run by a staff nurse whom I understand was from an agency and consequently wasn't familiar with the Ward and the patients. During this day my drugs chart was taken down to the pharmacy and consequently the staff nurse was unable to give me any pain relief. I could have managed without one dose of pain relief but the situation continued for the whole day until. at 6pm. I insisted to the staff nurse I had some pain relief as I was in some considerable discomfort. It was only at this juncture she went off to look for my drugs chart and found it on the Ward's reception desk - how long it had been there, I don't know but in hindsight I wish I'd persisted earlier in the day for some pain relief and believe the staff nurse in question should have been more proactive in tracking-down my chart. 2. I had been advised by my consultant I would be 'squeezed' in for an MRI scan on my liver whilst in hospital as one was needed, together with a PET/CT scan in Preston, asap to determine whether the cancer had spread to my liver. I was pleased to be told on the Tuesday (7th) I would have my scan on Friday 10th at 15:15Hrs before being discharged. The radiology depatment camr to the Ward to run-through some questions with me on the Wednesday so were fully aware I'd had an operation. However, on the day of the scan the radiology department refused to do the scan stating, it was hospital protocol not to give an MRI scan within 4-6 weeks of an operation. Whilst I accept the latter I do believe more communication between departments could have avoided this situation and I, possibly, could have had the scan prior to the operation? This, albeit short, delay will potentially delay me receiving the necessary radio and chemotherapy I require. I would hope similar patients could avoid a similar scenario, Many thanks