"Never again Crownhill Ward"

Anything else?

After a chaotic admittance to Crownhiill ward I eventually received a bed in mid afternoon for elective surgery for partial lung removal the following day. Post op my first awareness in recovery was a nurse saying words to the effect that they needed to get rid of my as she was off at 5pm. Sure enough 10 past 5 - I was back in the ward. The folowing day a bowl was slapped down on my trolly. I thought a proceedure was to follow so left it - nope! I was supposed to wash with it. Unaware of this I ttried to brush my teeth. This I did but realised too late - nothing to rinse my toothbrush with. I used a beaker of water and was then called 'disgusting' by the nurse - later that morning she sarcastically asked me - 'Live alone do you Mrs A...'?' as I am a 68 year old widow - the answer had to be yes. I felt that in general I had the most indifferent and indeed unkind 'care' from the majority of the nursing staff, especially in the first few days when I felt so ill and helpless. 3-4 days later by this time in tears as I stank of sweat and plastic one nurse helped me into a shower while I sat on a chair under the flow - what bliss to actually feel clean again . My strong advice is to have your family visit as often as possible as soon as possible post op. They can help you - the nurses will not! I told my family to stay away for the first few days - what a huge mistake that was. I have never, ever felt so alone and vulnerable. am also deaf and each day, without fail, most nurses had a conversation with my sink rather than face me so I could see what was said. There was a fresh dribble of blood all down my trolly on admission - there was the same blood dribble still there 10 days later! I could go on but suffice to say - Never, ever again Crownhill. No probs at all withthe doctor - just most of his ward nursing staff let him down - badly!