"Great medical care, poor communication"

Arrived by ambulance (called by 111 responder) about 1am to A&E on Friday 17th November. Admitted to AMU. Very weak, retching. Diagnosed viral infection diarrhoea, unable to urinate. Blood sample results poor. Transferred to Durrington Ward in single room. Brilliant nurses busy saving lives in main ward unable to respond promptly to my help button. Disgusting diarrhoea left in tray several hours. Catheter prevented keeping myself and bedsheets clean. Humiliating. On third day a bowl of water and towel was provided for me to wash myself, but I was too weak to do it properly.

On Tuesday 21st the morning Doctor told me she would get catheter removed and I could go home. Repeatedly, over most of the day, asked nurses to remove catheter but no response to my messages. Finally a nurse explained they couldn't do it without Doctor's authorisation and I told him what Doctor had said, whereupon her instruction was found in my notes. All staff extremely apologetic, and I stress that their sheer over-busyness means they cannot be blamed.

An urgently pre-booked gastroscopy to check Barrett's oesophagitis was cancelled by Endoscopy. I was given the impression that this was because I was now an inpatient - causing administrative difficulties between departments - and not told it was because Endoscopy wanted me in good health and able to cope with any "minor nicks".

I am grateful for the thorough blood-testing and complicated medication which has enabled me to continue recovering my strength at home.

However, I do wonder whether better means of communication could be found, between doctors, nurses, other departments and patients.