"DIY wound dressing in hospital is..."

What could be improved

I had cause to visit Dewsbury A & E with a post-op' problem on 14 March, 2011, and was extremely satisfied with the outcome. I was told to go back if the problem persisted. It did and therefore I attended again today, 18 March. The surgical registrar was very efficient and I gave me a clear explanation about the problem. He organised for a nurse to obtain a swab, and for the wound to be re-dressed. I explained that I had a problem with the hospital dressing (Mepore), the adhesive on which aggravates my skin. I had, in fact, taken my own, suitable, dressing (in a sterile packet) with me. The nurse took the swab and, when I told her I had my own dressing, she asked if I would be ok to dress the wound myself! Before I could reply, she disappeared and I did, in fact, dress my own wound before finding the surgical waste bin to put the old, soiled dressing in before leaving. It was a bit like going out to a restaurant and being asked to cook your own food. Sorry Dewsbury Hospital, but that last act rather let the side down. I felt she treated me as a bit of a nuisance. This is not an official complaint, but imagine if someone with less than perfect hygiene had been left to apply their own dressing to an open wound! Enough said.