"response to emergency buzzer"

Anything else?

I have had 2 operations in the last eight weeks,both times spent in the Edmund Stone ward of Southend University Hospital .My surgeon and his team were amazing and i had the best treatment imaginable.I became aware very quickly when returning to the ward after the first operation that the response time when pressing the emergency button was very very slow indeed i was in for 8 days on this stay and although i felt concerned for what i was seeing around me i managed to get by without incident. After the 2nd operation i had to use the emergency buzzer on the bed as i had food lodged in my throat and was having great difficulty breathing,my water jug had been taken away to be filled and not returned, my throat was so very dry from the operation, and the sandwich i had been given was very thick brown bread which had not been buttered,the lady in the bed opposite tried to help but had just had a major operation herself.I eventually managed to reach violently into a small bowl.I have no complaints about the nursing staff and i realise this incident was due to too few nurses on duty.But i can honestly say this was the most frightening experience.I do feel people who over use the buzzer for trivial things should be spoken to, because in my case it took a lot for me to buzz but i really do think especially when you have had an operation that afternoon you have the right to expect a speedy response.If there were more nurses on the ward there would be more time for general tlc,you are so vulnerable at this time, i appreciate everything that has been done for me whilst in the hospital, but i feel i would be letting other people down in the future if i did not bring this very real problem to your attention