This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Accutane Care Plan

Posted By quebecch44

"Accutane Care Plan"

About: Omagh Primary Care Complex / Outpatients South West Acute Hospital / Outpatient clinics

(as a service user),

I started my treatment for acne in SWAH but got transferred to Omagh Hospital as it was closer to my work/home. I was prescribed Accutane which is a tablet that can only be obtained from the hospital pharmacy.

I was scheduled for my final monthly appointment to get Accutane in April 2023.  The clinic was cancelled due to strike action, which I fully support, however I wasn't called back to the clinic until the end of June 2023. While waiting 12 weeks for a new appointment I made the decision to end my 6 month treatment early, as I didn't want to reintroduce the drug back into my body, go through the side effects and have to go through the blood test again. I was lucky as my acne had gone at month 2 but I feel for those who had more severe acne or were earlier in their treatment. 

I feel the monthly appointments process could be improved. A urine sample is required at each appointment, instead of waiting for a nurse to give you a sample pot, I could have had that ready by the time she came to me. For instance if I could have got the sample pot from reception on arrival.
During the appointment you stand behind the nurse while she writes in your folder, she asks how things are while still facing the desk rather than looking at you.
For the final appointment I would have thought I would have had a blood test to check my liver function, which did not happen. I also didn't have any meetings at all with the doctor, I didn't see a dermatologist from that initial appointment in SWAH. I feel that my dosage could have been possibly adjusted mid treatment. 

Generally I was very happy with my initial appointment with in SWAH but felt the rest of the treatment plan was lacking. 

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Michelle Scott, Patient Client Experience Lead, Primary Care and Older Person, Western Health and Social Care Trust 9 months ago
Michelle Scott
Patient Client Experience Lead, Primary Care and Older Person,
Western Health and Social Care Trust

I am the gatekeeper of Care Opinion and 10,000 voices quality improvement initiative for the Western Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 13/07/2023 at 12:04
Published on Care Opinion at 12:17

picture of Michelle Scott

Hello quebecch44,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience within 2 of our western trust hospitals Outpatients Departments. We value all feedback and can learn from every story published.

My name is Michelle Scott Patient Client experience lead here in the Western trust. I am somewhat of a gatekeeper for care opinion in the trust. I am liaising with both Outpatients involved in your story and a more detailed response will be expected to be published to your self within the next 2 working days. My sincere apologies for the delay in getting back.

We aim be in touch soon and feel free to contact me on the numbers below if you wish

kindest regards for now

Michelle Scott

Patient Client Experience Lead

Ext 214486 (02871345171)

Mobile: 07833402847

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Joann McCullagh, Outpatients Manager -OHPCC, Acute Services, WHSCT 9 months ago
Joann McCullagh
Outpatients Manager -OHPCC, Acute Services,
WHSCT

Submitted on 19/07/2023 at 10:58
Published on Care Opinion at 11:32

Hello quebecch44

Thank you very much for leaving your feedback. All feedback is very welcomed by the trust.

I must start off by saying I was sorry to hear you had a mixed experience where you had a good experience in South West Acute Hospital but the treatment in Omagh hospital was lacking.

I was glad to hear that you noticed the effects of the treatment after 2 months and whilst we normally would not recommend stopping treatment of any sort without seeking medical advice, I can only apologize for the delay in your final monthly appointment.

It was good to know that the trust could accommodate your treatment regime closer to your work/home which must have been that bit easier on you travel and time wise for treatments. I will pass this information on staff

In order to address your concerns regarding the treatment process, can I first start off by explaining what happens when a person is referred for this treatment. At the initial consultation, the patient will meet with the consultant in dermatology where the treatment regime should be explained with duration period and consent obtained. Apologies' if the treatment regime was not fully explained at this point. Sometimes there is a lot of information given and it can be difficult to retain or remember it all.

When your treatment regime was transferred over to Omagh Hospital Primary Care Complex, the treatment is carried out by highly skilled qualified nurses in what is called a nurse led clinic. At this point, the nurse who has been trained in this specialist area has the skills and knowledge to take on the role and responsibility of your care during your treatment regime and can liaise with the dermatology consultant if required for example if a change in dosage of the drug, duration and frequency to name but a few.

A fresh urine sample is required and because the nurse is responsible for treatment, it is their duty and responsibility to ensure the correct sample is obtained from the right person and at the right time. This is a part of the their checking system which they are responsible for and as you correctly highlighted this specialist drug can only come from hospital and extra precautions are required to be taken to ensure best practice and the correct process has been followed by the nurse who is responsible for administering the drug. Thank you for suggesting some ideas of how to possibly overcome the wait for giving a urine sample and we will take this on board for consideration among the team. We will come back if any changes to practice can be safely and effectively implemented

In regards to your face to face appointment with the nurse, I can only apologize if you felt appropriate eye contact was not maintained. It can be difficult to maintain good eye contact whilst writing and I will feed this back among staff to ensure we provide good communication between staff and patients. The room used to facilitate this clinic may be a contributing factor as well. We do try our best to maintain good communication with our patients and we will reinforce this with all staff.

Blood tests are an invasive and only carried out if indicated as per the pathway for this treatment regime.

I hope you have found this information useful, and thank you again for leaving your feedback with us

kind regards

Sr Joann McCullagh

OPD sister Omagh Hospital Primary Care Complex

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k