"Communication"

I can't fault the physical care that I recieved from the nurses and household staff on Ward A3 at Peterborough City Hospital last week, however the lack of communication between departments, between staff and with me the patient, was extremely stressful.

At no time was I informed what was happening with my care or what was planned. I was left to my own devices, not knowing what was going to happen or even if anything was going to happen.

This was difficult enough to cope with however what was far worse was that the Housekeeping staff had no idea of my food intolerance and therefore could not tell me what foods were appropriate. Meal times were something of a guessing game, which could have become quite dangerous. On one occaision I asked the ward hostess to find out if a beverage was free from a certain ingrediant. She didn't bother.

I am only glad that I suffer an intolerance and not a full food allergy and that I was alert enough to be careful with the choices I was given. I think this situation is unacceptable, particularly because it took place on a ward dedicated to abdominal illness and stoma care.