"Better communication and care should be taken"

We arrived at summerfield ward early in the morning to have repeat sbr bloods for jaundice after being discharged a couple days prior. 

Bloods were done quickly and we were advised they were away to lab by 10ish, were told it it would be a 2-3 hour wait. We had said it was not worth going home and would stay at hospital. We had a visit from a dr between 10-12 who watched him and seemed to be checking why we were there as we were ticked off board as leaving. They had advised we could go home the day before and come back to repeat bloods.

In the afternoon, after 1pm, we periodically asked what was happening and were told there was a note on bloods that the midwife couldn’t see but the doctor would be to see us soon. We then asked again and were told we were next to be seen. When we asked again about 4pm we were told that the Dr we saw earlier had gone home and someone else would be to see us soon.

Eventually at 5pm I spoke to a midwife who went to find out what was happening. They advised there was a problem at the lab, they had spoken to the paediatrician on call and was happy for us to go home and that someone would call us before 7pm to tell us what was happening and if bloods were ok. This was after I asked to take him home.

We were asked once in the day if we wanted a cup of tea, were offered no water/food. We were offered supper at 4 pm which I said I was not staying for. We had to feed, change and nurse our little boy in the family room of the ward.

A Dr (paediatrician) called us that evening and advised the bloods were sent in wrong tube and there was a problem with submission so they needed repeated. Agreed to attend again that evening on 3rd take bloods and go straight home to have results phoned in.

After such a traumatic birth and spending such a long time after birth on the ward, I was extremely frustrated that we were left waiting 7/8 hours, with no comforts, water, food. While breastfeeding to not keep hydrated and also recovering from a caesarean I was sore and exhausted leaving the ward. Luckily I had medication I had been discharged with in our changing bag.

Better communication and care should be taken for returning patients. It is not always feasible for them to go home and wait results there.