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"Still no further forward"

About: Royal Blackburn Hospital / Dermatology Royal Blackburn Hospital / General medicine

(as the patient),

In May 2015 I was admitted via A&E after being bitten in liverpool earlier that day, on attending I was rushed to resus with high temp. and being tacky cardic, pointing out the very obvious bite to my right calf (dismissed) later I was taken to MAU and pointed out the bite to them and my previous history of Invasive group A strep, this was also dismissed and the doctor seemed more interested in my possible drug use (of which I have NEVER taken any) the doctor seemed to disbelieve...

Cut a very long story short (11 days) whilst on c2 after being diagnosed with tracking cellulitis there was still no improvement (2-3 days later treatment started after testing positive for group A) 8 days passed with doctors, consultants, micro biologist and arguing between themselves when the nurse contacted tissue viability and an action plan was put into place (this started to work within 24hrs).

Whilst on c2 I was meant to have MRI scan but this never came about, on discharge I was meant to have follow up appointments with dermatologist but again nothing, like I said ill try to keep it short, we are now in October and I thanks to my GP finally got my MRI last month (that ruled out cellulitis) and have now got a dermatologist appointment for November again thanks to my GP but with still no real answers.

I'm left from being a healthy 37 year old woman to being in constant pain and taking 19 tablets per day and sporting a 8-10 inch scar on my leg.

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Responses

Response from Melissa Almond, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 8 years ago
Melissa Almond
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 30/10/2015 at 11:28
Published on Care Opinion at 14:32


Thank you your feedback regarding your admission to the Royal Blackburn Hospital in May 2015, and for taking the time to do so. We are very sorry that you have concerns about your care and treatment whilst in hospital and would like to assure you that your comments will be passed onto the teams concerned.

You have raised various concerns and we are keen to discuss your feedback in more detail so that we can understand more about your experience. It would be appreciated if you could contact me (Melissa Almond) on 01254 734087 or email me on melissa.almond@elht.nhs.uk

Or if you prefer, you can discuss further any concerns you may have about our services with our East Lancashire Hospitals Trust Customer Relations team on 01254 733700 or by email at complaints@elht.nhs.uk who can advise you of your options in raising these concerns further.

If you would like to share your experience in confidence with an independent organisation please contact Healthwatch BwD on 01254 504985 or info@healthwatchblackburnwithdarwen.co.uk

Thank you again for commenting and I look forward to hearing from you.

Melissa Almond, Patient Experience Facilitator

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Response from Royal Blackburn Hospital 8 years ago
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Submitted on 12/11/2015 at 15:41
Published on nhs.uk on 14/11/2015 at 01:40


Many thanks for commenting on your experience with our A&E and Ward C2 at Royal Blackburn Hospital and for taking the time to do so.

I note you have contacted us to further discuss your concerns which have now been forwarded to the appropriate team.

I hope this is satisfactory.

Kind regards

Helen Ritchie (senior patient experience facilitator

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Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

I would just like to thank Patient Opinion for taking my comments onboard and passing my concerns on to the appropriate people.

Also thank you Melissa Almond for your contact and Helen Ritchie for your response that it as now gone to the appropriate team.

Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Just a quick update since my first response on patient opinion after speaking to Melissa Almond it was agreed that a sit down meeting with RBH would be wise so I could get all my questions answered and that the relevant department would be in touch.

This department still hasn't been in touch nor has the meeting took place (another disappointment).

Finally had my appointment with the dermatologist at RBH who suggested for my gp to refer me to physio and a neurologist the letter to my gp actually stated lymphedema lower right leg and to refer me to a lymphedema clinic and he would review me in 8 weeks but had a letter to say the doctor has left the trust and I DONT need a follow up.

I had my appointment last Friday at the local lymphedema clinic and for yet another twist to all this the nurse informs me I DONT have lymphedema I have venous insufficiency and that my veins are damaged and that you can quite clearly see the veins are struggling and that it stems from the infection I had (her words by the way).

Response from Melissa Almond, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 8 years ago
Melissa Almond
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 22/12/2015 at 16:37
Published on Care Opinion at 18:33


We are really sorry that no-one has been in touch with you to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns.

This has been brought to the attention of the Customer Relations Manager who will contact the department, and someone should be in touch with you shortly.

If in the meantime we can be of any further assistance please let us know.

Melissa Almond

Patient Experience Facilitator

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Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Quick update still no contact from Royal Blackburn

Response from Helen Ritchie, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 8 years ago
Helen Ritchie
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 29/01/2016 at 12:44
Published on Care Opinion at 15:25


I am really sorry that no-one has been in touch with you to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns.

I have brought this to the attention of the Customer Relations Manager who will contact the department, and ensure someone contacts you as soon as possible.

If in the meantime we can be of any further assistance please let us know

Helen Ritchie

Senior Patient Experience Facilitator

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Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Thanks for your response Helen, but im beginning to wonder what is the point in replying, after all it'll be nearly 9 months since all of this started, being passed from pillow to post between GP's, Doctors, Consultants and whoever else thinks they know what is going on. Not to mention numerous wrong diagnosis (im just thankful i have a great GP) because without them I'd of given up on this all thing long ago. I really do hope that you can get somebody to contact myself, rather than this just being ANOTHER false bit of hope!

REGARDS,

TILLIE

Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Ok... Sorry for being blunt here but what is the point of even having this page? After all, 3 months ago you apologized for nobody being in touch with me over my concerns, and what do you know, still no reply.

Response from Helen Ritchie, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 7 years ago
Helen Ritchie
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 17/05/2016 at 14:22
Published on Care Opinion at 14:50


Hello

I am sorry that no-one has been in contact to discuss your concerns. I can assure you that they are being investigated by the Division and I have asked the Customer Relations team to contact you to update you on progress.

Again I apologise and if I can be of any help at all please call me, Helen Ritchie on 01254 734471 or email me on helen.ritchie@elht.nhs.uk

If you would like to contact the Customer Relations team directly, you can contact them on 01254 734292.

Kind regards

Helen Ritchie

Senior patient experience facilitator

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Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Hi Helen,

I can understand you need to gather information, however 9 months on I believe is ample time. You offered me the opportunity to have a sit down meeting. I would be grateful if we could schedule that within the next 28 days. I am sure with the information you have gathered, my file and a open discussion we can get to some resolution on this subject. Please can you respond within the next 7 days with the date, time and the length of time allocated for the meeting.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks.

Tillie.

Response from Helen Ritchie, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 7 years ago
Helen Ritchie
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 19/05/2016 at 12:35
Published on Care Opinion at 15:32


Hello

I have spoken to the Customer Relations Officer who is dealing with your concerns and she will contact you on your mobile phone this afternoon to discuss your concerns and provide an update. I sincerely apologise for the delays and hope we can resolve this to your satisfaction.

The Customer Relations team can be contacted on 01254 734292 or if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01254 734471 or via email on helen.ritchie@elht.nhs.uk

Many thanks

Helen Ritchie

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Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Hi, I have rang a number of times as I am now in receipt of the referral we discussed. I don't want things to drag on again. It may be that someone is looking after things. Please can someone contact me to move things along? Many thanks.

Response from Melissa Almond, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 7 years ago
Melissa Almond
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 07/06/2016 at 08:30
Published on Care Opinion at 09:32


Hi, thank you for your comments.

I have someone from the Customer Relations Team to telephone you as requested.

Kind regards

Melissa Almond

Patient Experience Facilitator

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Update posted by tillie4bb (the patient)

Feel like im hitting a brick wall all i want is answers yet im still on hold been ringing customer relations for the past 3 week and it rings and rings then its just goes on answering machine and we leaving a message for someone to ring and yet again nothing i can understand people being busy but 3 weeks later nothing when i was told i would be kept informed

Response from Helen Ritchie, Senior Patient Experience Facilitator, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 7 years ago
Helen Ritchie
Senior Patient Experience Facilitator,
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 28/07/2016 at 16:03
Published on Care Opinion at 16:18


Dear tillie4bb

I am so sorry you have been unable to make contact. I have spoken to our Customer Relations Team who inform me that they did try to contact you unsuccessfully three times yesterday and once this morning on the telephone numbers you provided. A member of the team has emailed you and provided her contact number which is 01254 733701. I hope this helps and please contact me if you need any further assistance. My contact number is 01254 734471 or you can email me at helen.ritchie@elht.nhs.uk.

Kind regards

Helen Ritchie

Senior Patient Experience Facilitator

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