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"Mixed experience in A & E"

About: Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as a relative),

My mother was admitted to Accident & Emergency at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy at the start of December It was clear from the outset that all care services are under immense pressure, from 999, NHS 24, Ambulance Services, A&E to admitting wards.

Despite these pressures, the majority of staff displayed true compassion, kindness and care, especially Junior Doctor Ruth in A&E. Dr Ruth’s values shone through in the excellent care that she provided and her honesty and integrity shown, despite the obvious pressures on the service.

Unfortunately this excellent example of true person centred care was overshadowed by witnessing my mother having to spend time in a busy A&E thoroughfare due to pressure on beds. At this point, my mothers dignity was compromised and she was left with no ability to call for assistance (and although I was with her I was left feeling embarrassed to have to ask for staff’s help when they were clearly overstretched and busy with other more acute patients).

I was also very disappointed in one individual member of staff’s approach, which was sadly lacking in the values upheld by NHS Fife. I would welcome the opportunity to raise this separately with the Team Lead, as do not feel that this was reflective of the whole care team. 

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Responses

Response from Gillian Malone, Head of Nursing, Emergency Care, NHS Fife 2 years ago
Gillian Malone
Head of Nursing, Emergency Care,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 07/12/2022 at 16:46
Published on Care Opinion at 16:46


picture of Gillian Malone

Dear leopr89

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback on the experience you and your Mother recently had within our Emergency Department.

While I am pleased to learn of some of this feedback, I would be keen to speak with you to understand more fully the aspects that appear to have fallen short of what you and your Mother should expect.

If you would like to speak with me then please feel free to contact me on 01592 643355 extension 28301. I will be on duty Thursday 11:30-20:00hr or Friday 09:30-17:30hr.

Thereafter my colleague Clinical Nurse Manager Doyle can be contacted Monday - Friday 08:00-16:00hr on extension 20828,

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Response from Jamie Doyle, Head of Nursing - Acute Services Division (Corporate), Acute Services Division, NHS Fife 2 years ago
Jamie Doyle
Head of Nursing - Acute Services Division (Corporate), Acute Services Division,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 15/12/2022 at 13:57
Published on Care Opinion at 13:57


Dear leopr89

Thank you for getting in touch with Gillian Malone, who has since shared your experience with me as I manage the Emergency Department at Victoria Hospital. I am sorry for your mixed experience, whilst it is good to note the positives, it is sad that some of the experience was negative, this is not acceptable. Please be assured that we will appropriately review and reflect with the staff involved regarding this experience. We as department aim to provide care that is safe, effective, high quality, person-centred and compassionate, I am sorry this was not seen by all on this occasion.

Wishing you and your family well, and thank you again for your feedback which will help us to learn and improve. Please take care.

Kindest regards, Jamie Doyle

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