"dissapointing and sadenening"

What I liked

The few individuals who treated me with care and profesionalism.

What could be improved

Staff attitude.

I was admitted with a breast absess in considerable pain but made to feel like I was exagerating and had to wait unreasonably long times for analgesia, on one occasion more than an hour.The staff in EAU were without exception miserable and rude.

I trained at Mayday and the whole experience left me saddened. I understand the pressures and constraints of working within an NHS hospital but do not understand why staff must be so rude.

I felt that my condition was not taken seriously and that appropriate referals were not made despite my condition becoming worse ( I became septic and my breast was becoming necrotic ). I was prescribed IV antibiotics but the team I was under prefered a wait and see approach.

After three days of inadequate pain relief I discharged myself and went to another hospital. I feel this was justified by the fact that I was diagnosed with Necrotising fasciitis and had three surgeries over the next three days. This eventually culminated in mastectomy.

I can forgive the fact that a diagnosis was not made ( it is unusual and difficult to spot initially )but I cannot forgive being made to feel like I was exagerating pain.

I also wonder if surgical intervention had been initiated earlier that I may not of lost my entire breast. I was told that I could be treated as an outpatient and was only admitted because of a GI bleed which was caused by taking NSAIDS on an empty stomach because of pain. One of the main symptoms of NF is disproportinate levels of pain which I really felt was not taken into account. In the end I lost a breast because of an insect bite!

The whole experience was made worse by incompassionate nurses who seemed to dislike their jobs so much that they begrudge any request by patients.

Anything else?

Cheer up !

I do not understand why the hospital does not take action against staff who are clearly damaging the organisations reputation .

I am a nurse, and if the day ever comes when I hate my job so much that I am unable to raise a smile I will find a new job in which it is not so important to be compassionate and approachable.

The problem is not just with a few individuals but seems to run deep within the workforce.

Some of the nursing staff made me ashamed of my profession, having said that it was not just nurses other members of the MDT were just as bad.

A smile and a bit of compassion helps patients to feel valued and listened to, and that their opinoins and concerns are valid.