"If I have a life threating illness I would want to..."

What I liked

My father was taken to Dewsbury with acute chest pain, it took an awful long time, around an hour of him writhing in agong before any pain relief was given! and did not see a Dr for 2 and a half hours!

I rang the a&e first thing in the morning as we were very worried as Dr thought hed had a heart attack! I was asked to call back in 10 mins as the member of staff who knew about Dad was busy, when I rang back the staff nurse I spoke to did not know how to transfer my call to the ward Dad was on! so I asked for direct line, she gave me a number, then said I'm not sure if thats the one as I dont know it! It was not the right number!? I then tried and got the number off the net but got put through to Pinnderfield MAU ward! so I rang again and got cut off I tried again and again they cut me off! so I called back again got cut off! so I rang again got cut off again! I rang back explaining what kept happening the girl on switch board said ok I will try a different line! and you've guessed it! I got cut off again! all told I got cut off 10+ times! surely in this day and age where technology is the best its ever been a simple call to check on how my sick father is should take 5 mins maximum, I was calling from 7.20am to 8.05am when I finally got through to a staff nurse who went an asked my father how he was! I could have rang my father on his mobile to ask that question! I wanted to know how he was medically but was told nothing. Overall experience = Poor

What could be improved

That my father saw a Dr at admission not house later! and pain relief given quickly after been assessed by Dr.

Review the telephone system! I was already upset by my father being poorly and did not need the extra stress caused by being unable to contact someone who could inform me how he was. not my elderly fathers version on how he was but medically.

Anything else?

I have used this hospital several times and am sad to say there are a great many failings seen especially if you are alone with no advocate.