"Services for the critically unwell at FGH"

Earlier this year I was admitted to Furness General as a an emergency as I understand I was suffering from what they referred to as "Sepsis"

I have nothing but praise for my arrival at the hospital and I was treated quickly but I am afraid it deteriorated from there. The A&E team was superb as were the Doctors and Nurses on the Medical Assessment Unit. It was clearly explained to me that my case was complex and the source of my infection was not clear. They did regular assessments of my vital signs and the principle problem was my chest. I was told that I needed closer observation and that a Doctor was requested from the Intensive Care Unit - He did arrive but several hours later (I understand from the Nursing staff that the Matron expiated this as they was quite clearly concerned about my condition. I was told by both the Matron I met in the A&E and the nursing staff that despite a bed being available I was deemed "not sick enough... yet, I might add, to warrant admission to the Intensive Care unit - he should have been on my side of the bed!

I was transferred to the High Dependency Unit which whilst it was a very good unit and they were clearly experts I developed some kind of obstruction in my tummy and again had to wait to see a Doctor who I could hear trying to persuade the Intensive Care Doctor to review me and I needed some kind of kidney filtration. The High Dependency Nurses said they would do it but tactfully suggested they don’t have the technology or (and I had the evidence for this) to do so.

Soon after I was sent to theatre and they found the source of my infection which has also had an affect in my chest, Short stay on the intensive Care Unit after my treatment but this time I was sent to something called a patient experience unit which is needs no real explanation other than in this instance I found it inadequate as it seemed to me like they couldn’t' read the machinery I was attached too or give me the drugs I needed so (and wait for this) I was transferred back to the High Dependency Unit on the next level up where I was able to recover with confidence and ultimately sent home.

I am not unhappy with the care on the whole (and perhaps it sounds like I am given what I have written but given the funds that I pay as a tax payer = I wonder why there not one single unit that cares for the sick and rehabilitates, it seems to me from my lay person perspective that is a duplication of services

It is an excellent Hospital and we should cherish it and invest it the services for those who use it. In my opinion it also needs managing consistently by the same people not multiple nurses, manages etc.

I do certainly hope it improves - It was very confusing, worrying and distressing for my family and no doubt others within our community.