"Some members of staff, one in ..."

What I liked

Some members of staff, one in particular monitored me regularly as I was supposed to be. She weighed me and measured me (the only nurse to do this). The bedsheets were tidied each day and they provided me with some things to shower and wash my hair. Staff members were pleasant and some were really jolly and friendly.

What could be improved

A lot!! I was unable to eat anything for lunch as i was allergic to cheese and the only three meals available (out of a menu of around 20 dishes!) all had cheese in them. I was left from 7.30am until 4pm without being monitored in any way (no blood pressure taken, no recording of urine output or fluid intake) and it was only when I complained to the doctor who i finally saw, 24 hours after being admitted, that this was checked. I asked to be weighed. My urine samples were frequently left in the toilet, sometimes for up to 4 hours. One time I went to do another sample and there were still two of my previous samples on the cistern. I waited over 4 hours for my scan (finally got it at 1pm), and then I waited all day to speak to the registrar as the doctor I saw did not know enough about my case to discharge me. I was continually told by nurses that the registrar was coming, and one point apparently "the doctor has your notes and is coming to the bed now". I ended up still waiting until 10.30pm, still with no sign of a doctor coming (apparently they were still in theatre, and when the doctor on call had taken over at 9pm, she has also gone straight into theatre). I was then told by the nurse that she had spoken with the doctor, and they were unlikely to discharge me. I was never given a reason for this. So I had to stay another night,without being regularly monitored, which all seemed very pointless and stressful as i once again got no sleep and nothing to eat. Nurses frequently offered me painkillers, which I did not want, I was not in pain, but when I just wanted a bowel softener I was told they would have to check with the doctor. I went back an hour later as I had not been updated, to which the nurse had to consult a drug book to ensure what was safe during pregnancy. On a maternity ward I am sure they deal daily with women who are pregnant and constipated, so I was shocked to see she really didnt know what was safe to take.

Anything else?

They still refused to give me anything, so I ended up falling asleep, waking up at 4am in pain as I needed a bowel softener. I demanded they gave me lactulose, which finally the nurse did. A doctor did not arrive until 10.30am the following day, 3 days after my arrival. She needed to consult my gynaecologist before discharging me (My gynae, had offered the day before to speak with the junior doctor, who had refused to talk to him). Had he done so, I could have been discharged there and then instead of making me endure another night of no sleep and being uncomfortable. Also, my bed would have been available for someone else). I ordered my lunch before being discharged, and was told the same three dishes were the only ones available again, so I got family members to bring me something again. Thank goodness my family brought food in for me as I was so hungry. I am totally shocked at the service provided. I work extremely hard and pay a great deal of my wages into the nhs through taxes. In terms of doctors and sonographers, the hospital was totally understaffed. There was a total lack of communication between nurses and doctors, and myself. Overall, I am disgusted with what I experienced and would be very worried if I have to be admitted to this hospital in the future.