This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Noise from TVs on ward 28

Posted By nephrology

"Noise from TVs on ward 28"

About: Doncaster Royal Infirmary / Dialysis unit

(as the patient),

My problem regards the noise from TV's on this ward, some patients have them on full volume, obviously without headphones! I am sure you can imagine the frustration and wear on other patients nerves who prefer to be quiet.

I have reported this problem to the ward sister some time ago, but she has taken absolutely no action, apart from putting a few notices up that headphones must be worn, which has not been enforced at all.

It takes all your patience to put up with this constant drivel for four hours, and frankly I personally don't know how much longer I can persevere with this racket.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 11 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 07/12/2012 at 18:01
Published on Care Opinion at 19:15

Thank you for posting this feedback. The ward sister does recall discussing this concern with a patient this week and has asked us to offer her apologies to you if you didn't feel she gave you a satisfcatory response. We would also like to apologise on behalf of the Trust.

The dialysis unit is an open-plan department and each dialysis station has its own television, with earphones provided. Patients are encouraged to use earphones so as not to disturb other patients. However, not all patients will use them and in some circumstances this is unfortunately not an option. Patients who are deaf or hard of hearing may be unable to use earphones and may also have the sound turned up.

So what can we do to minimise any disturbance or annoyance from other patients' TV screens? The dialysis unit does have a single room which allows a greater degree of privacy and, provided that this room is not needed for a particular clinical reason, this would be available for patents who find the noise levels too high. In addition, during December the unit is taking delivery of new additional dialysis machines that will increase the flexibility of how and where patients can receive their care - including being offered areas away from other patients who require the television volume to be high.

The unit staff are also exploring whether there are any feasible alternatives which will give deaf or hard-of-hearing patients better access to hear the television but without disruption to others.

We really value patient feedback to enable us to be aware of, and address, any difficulties and we do hope that this information will be of assistance to you.

Update posted by nephrology (the patient)

Regarding my complaint of loud TVs in ward 28 [Dialysis Unit] DRI. I have spoken to the ward sister in detail regarding this problem, she has promised to look into it, to see if anything can be done to improve the situation.

So obviously all we [the sick of TV noise patients] can do is wait and see if there are any changes in the near future. Hopefully the sooner the better.

I would just like to say that it is not just me personally who has this complaint, but as usual other patients complain to each other, but do nothing about it.

Regards, nephrology

PS: There was one important mistake in the response, there are no headphones provided!

Response from Doncaster Royal Infirmary 11 years ago
Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Submitted on 06/03/2013 at 05:34
Published on nhs.uk on 06/01/2014 at 10:34

We published this response when this comment was posted on the Patient Opinion website: Thank you for posting this feedback. The ward sister does recall discussing this concern with a patient this week and has asked us to offer her apologies to you if you didn't feel she gave you a satisfactory response. We would also like to apologise on behalf of the Trust. The dialysis unit is an open-plan department and each dialysis station has its own television, with earphones provided. Patients are encouraged to use earphones so as not to disturb other patients. However, not all patients will use them and in some circumstances this is unfortunately not an option. Patients who are deaf or hard of hearing may be unable to use earphones and may also have the sound turned up. So what can we do to minimise any disturbance or annoyance from other patients' TV screens? The dialysis unit does have a single room which allows a greater degree of privacy and, provided that this room is not needed for a particular clinical reason, this would be available for patents who find the noise levels too high. In addition, during December the unit is taking delivery of new additional dialysis machines that will increase the flexibility of how and where patients can receive their care - including being offered areas away from other patients who require the television volume to be high. The unit staff are also exploring whether there are any feasible alternatives which will give deaf or hard-of-hearing patients better access to hear the television but without disruption to others. We really value patient feedback to enable us to be aware of, and address, any difficulties and we do hope that this information will be of assistance to you.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 11 years ago
We have made a change
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 07/03/2013 at 23:27
Published on Care Opinion on 08/03/2013 at 09:14

The ward sister and staff on the dialysis unit are working hard to accommodate patients' preferences and needs regarding the volume of TVs. As mentioned above, we do have some hard-of-hearing patients who are unable to use headphones and some who cannot use subtitles. Wherever possible, the staff try to ensure that all patients are able to enjoy watching their TVs at their preferred volume by using siderooms to accommodate those with particular needs or preferences. This isn't always possible, as patients' clinical needs have to come first, but if the option is available then staff are happy to provide it. We appreciate that this may not be a perfect solution but we have taken this feedback on board and doing our best to address this.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k