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"A threat to humanity "

About: Sandwell General Hospital

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and deep concern regarding the quality of care and operational efficiency I experienced during my recent visit to Sandwell Hospital. Throughout my 14-hour stay, I encountered a series of issues that raise serious questions about the hospital's adherence to acceptable standards of patient care and organizational competence.

The most concerning aspect of my experience was the extensive wait times faced by myself and other patients. Despite seemingly straightforward needs, I waited for **two hours** to receive basic medication and an additional **one hour** after it was supposedly dispensed. Furthermore, I was informed that my blood work would be reviewed within **two hours**, however, the results were not available for **ten hours**. These delays were not isolated incidents, as evidenced by a young patient with disabilities who remained in a waiting room for **26 hours** seeking a prescription due to unavailability of beds.

Beyond the significant delays, the communication breakdown between departments was evident and deeply worrisome. The lack of coordination and information sharing resembled the actions of young children playing with toys rather than the professionalism expected from a medical facility. This ineptitude not only caused immense frustration and anxiety for patients but also raises valid concerns about the potential for serious clinical errors resulting from such dysfunction.

The overall lack of accountability and apparent apathy exhibited by hospital personnel, from frontline staff to leadership, was particularly disheartening. This negligence constitutes a severe threat to patient safety and well-being, and the sheer miracle that no casualties occurred during my brief stay speaks volumes about the precariousness of the situation.

Given the gravity of these issues, I urge you to take immediate action to investigate and address these systemic failings at Sandwell Hospital. Urgent reforms are necessary to ensure patient safety, improve operational efficiency, and foster a culture of professionalism and accountability within the hospital.

I am available to provide further details about my experience and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further.

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Responses

Response from Sandwell General Hospital 3 months ago
Sandwell General Hospital
Submitted on 22/01/2024 at 11:56
Published on nhs.uk at 11:56


Dear Natasha, thank you for sharing your feedback regarding contacting the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC). There is a central number for BMEC which is 0121 507 4440. The call handlers will be able to direct your call to the correct department/person you wish to speak to. I am sorry that this information was not included on your letter. I will ensure your feedback is passed onto the service so that the central number can be included in future. Kind regards, Richard Beeken.

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