"N.I.C.E GUIDELINE ISSUES AT SOUTHMEAD HOSPITAL BRISTOL."

I was admitted to Southmead Hospital, Bristol Urology Department towards the end of last year.

During this period it was my impression that the NICE guidelines were not met in the following:-

NICE guidance references – Patient experience in Adult NHS services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.4.4 and 1.4.5.

Patients are introduced to all healthcare professionals involved in their care and are made aware of the roles and responsibilities of members of the healthcare team.

On my admission earIy in the day I was tired, confused and I must admit rather frightened as this was my first experience of being admitted to a hospital. I was spoken to by several members of staff but in my confused state I did not grasp or understand who they were or what was happening to me. I had lots of paper work to sign even so I was unaware that I had even signed a consent form.

I feel it would been beneficial to have a meeting well in advance of admission day to meet the medical professionals who you would deal with during your stay in hospital, have your rights as far as the signing of the consent form explained and choices of treatment discussed. When I met my consultant after discharge I was only made aware of one type of treatment, subsequently I have found out from other sources that there are other equally successful in many cases treatments available i.e. Radiotherapy and chemo therapy. I was also not made aware that a second opinion was an available choice.

Guidance references – Patient experience in adult NHS Services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.1.4

Patients have opportunities to discuss their health benefits, concerns and treatment preferences and to be informed of their individual care.

Guidance references – Patient experience in adult NHS Services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.5.20 to 1.5.22, 1.5.24 and 1.5.25.

Patients are supported by healthcare professionals to understand relevant treatments, options including benefits, risks and potential consequences.

Guidance references – Patient experience in adult NHS services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.1.2, 1.5.4, 1.5.23 to 1.5.27.

Patients are actively involved in shared decision making and supported by healthcare professionals to make fully informed choices about investigations, treatments available and care that reflects what is important to them.

Patient experience in adult NHS services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.3.7 and 1.3.8.

Patients should be made clearly be made aware that they have the right to choose, accept or decline treatment and these decisions are respected and supported.

Guidance reference – Patient experience in adult NHS services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.3.9

Patients are made aware that they have the right to ask for a second opinion.

After the procedure was carried out I was taken to “U” ward whereas described elsewhere I felt that my nursing care was disgraceful.

I felt I was stripped of my dignity, self-worth and basic human rights, I was left on a bed with sheets covered in urine and blood for approx. 20 mins after the removal of my catheter.

I was then given a sachet of hair shampoo, two towels and a clean gown and told to go and have a shower to clean myself up. I was left there for nearly an hour unsupervised.

I could not be given an urine bottle but had to wrap myself in towels to avoid blood and urine dripping in the corridor as I walked to the toilet.

The only pain killers available were paracetamol which were totally ineffective.

The two nurses and Doctors who cared for me made me feel invisible when discussing me.

Guidance references – Patient experience in adult NHS services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.2.1.

Patients are treated with dignity, kindness, compassion, courtesy, understanding and honesty.

Guidance references – Patient experience in adult NHS services (NICE clinical guidance 138) recommendations 1.2.4 to 1.2.9

Patients have their physical and psychological needs regularly assessed including nutrition, hydration, pain relief, personal hygiene and anxiety.

Since being discharged in view of the trauma and stress I felt that I suffered during my stay at Southmead, I have been diagnosed with acute depression for which I am now being treated.