"Hospital admission for ruptured appendix"

I am a woman in my early 60s just recovering after a ruptured appendix and subsequent surgery at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Monday early March early pm:

Developed pain in Left side of abdomen, self medicated and went to bed

Tuesday 4am:

Taken to A+E at Princess Royal Hospital, Telford by husband. Examined promptly, bloods taken, chest and abdomen x rays, iv inserted, morphine given, doctor thought either appendix or hernia. Ambulance arranged to go to Royal Shrewsbury. Prompt journey to RSH, paramedics excellent.

A+E RSH 7.15am

A+E very busy no spare beds, staff tutting at ambulances arriving, eventually admitted and room found. Eventually told need to be assessed on SAU but no beds available but as could manage to walk, could sit on ward and wait to be seen.

13.00

Shown to relatives counselling room, tiny room, two seater sofa, with another patient already lying on it and two arm chairs. Sat in chair covered by blankets. Seen by junior doctor, bloods taken, said he thought could be appendix, need to see senior member of staff. More patients bought to sit in room, not enough space, some moved elsewhere.

16.00 Seen by surgical registrar, blood showing some problems but thought probably not appendix because of age. Needed ultrasound scan but told no chance that day, no beds on SAU available, would discharge and appoint for ultrasound 9.30, Wednesday.

Wednesday 9.30

Arrive for ultrasound scan, feeling continuously nauseous, cannot manage amount of water to be drunk. Severe pain now in right hand quadrant of abdomen, Cannot tolerate touch.

10.00ish ultrasound done, radiographer said there was a problem but needed CT scan.

10.30ish CT scan done told results would go to GP in couple of days, informed them of going back to SAU for reassessment.

10.45 Back to same room as previous day as no beds, to wait being seen.

15.30 Seen by surgical registrar, CT scan showed ruptured appendix, would need operation. Risks advised and consent signed.

15.45 Trolley found in corridor, prepared for surgery. Seen by senior registrar who apologised for situation over last couple of days, said should be operated on today. Seen by anaesthetist.

17.45 Bed found in SAU.

21.00ish Seen by another surgical registrar, who hoped to operate tonight but maybe tomorrow.

22.00 Taken for surgery.

Night staff on SAU excellent, observations done regularly, iv, painkillers and antibiotics given timely.

Thursday pm

Moved to Surgical Day ward. In position behind staff desk, noise from staff, who I believe, were all agency staff, all night, positioned next to sink and bins, staff disagreeing between themselves. IV not changed at times told they were due. Still very nauseous, not eaten properly, bowels not opened and still in discomfort.

Friday

Told member of staff about feeling pretty rotten and wished to be moved if needing to stay on that ward. Seen by consultant, never met before, said I looked well and could go home. Discharge letter arranged, drugs sorted, no advice re wound, had to ask about dressing being changed, didn’t know if stitches or not, no discussion re recovery time, what could or couldn’t do etc. Still vomiting and still no bowel movement, extremely tired and worried

Friday pm

Arrived home.

Saturday

Still vomiting, no bowel movement, in pain and feel awful.

Sunday

Still vomiting, no bowel movement, varying pain and very upset.

Call to Shrop Doc appointment made for 10.30am

10.30am

Seen at Shrop Doc. Given thorough examination, anti sickness and pain killers changed, lactulose prescribed, wound inspected, advised and reassured re recovery time. Excellent service.

Monday

Seen by local GP, thoroughly examined, wound looked at, told thought been glued so no stitches to remove, advised when to remove dressing and advised how to expect to feel during recovery. Given TRAQS leaflet. Felt thoroughly reassured, excellent service.

Now recovering well but feel that whilst at Royal Shrewsbury hospital, there has been inadequate communication, no consistency and lack of basic care.

As an only newly retired NHS worker, (of many years service) I have first hand knowledge of the lack of resources available at this present time and the changes the NHS is undergoing, but feel there are urgent issues which need addressing at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.