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Care Opinion

Left in discharge lounge for over 6 hours

Posted By patient from 3 south

"Left in discharge lounge for over 6 hours"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / 3 South Craigavon Area Hospital / Discharge Lounge

(as the patient),

I was admitted to 3 South in Craigavon. On the day of my discharge I was told I needed to go to the discharge lounge in the morning. I wasn't allowed to get washed or dressed and I had no time to pack my bags as I was informed the porter was there to bring me right away. 

I then was in the discharge lounge for roughly 6 hours before my discharge letter and medications were sent down for me to go home. 

During that time I was unable to get my antibiotics and medications due to the ward still having my kardex and then later the pharmacy having my kardex for a while. I felt embarrassed because I was rushed out of 3 south and sitting in an open area in the discharge lounge still in my pyjamas, not able to brush or wash my hair because I wasn't given the time or even an opportunity to do so up on the ward. I feel like having a wash and things like brushing my teeth are basic human needs, and I felt embarrassed that I was forced to sit like this for 6 hours. The nurses in the discharge lounge were understanding of my frustration and tried their best to help by contacting the ward to find out what the hold up was.

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Responses

Response from Ashlene Kelly, Ward Manager 3 South CAH, Acute, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 2 months ago
Ashlene Kelly
Ward Manager 3 South CAH, Acute,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 27/02/2024 at 18:37
Published on Care Opinion at 18:37

Hi

My name is Ashlene Kelly Ward Manager of 3 South.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback through Care Opinion.

Firstly I would like to apologise that your discharge from 3 South was so rushed and you were sent to the discharge lounge, without getting washed and dressed and in your pyjamas. As an acute surgical admission ward we are under extreme pressure to ensure discharges of medically fit patients happen promptly to facilitate the admission of an acutely unwell patient from the ED department. This means that we sometimes have to ask patients to wait in the discharge lounge for a period of time.

I am so sorry that you had to wait 6 hours on your discharge medications. This can often happen as junior doctors are on ward rounds in the mornings and dealing with extremely sick patients, and then is their role to complete discharge letters and send to pharmacy. The medicine kardex is needed to complete this accurately and then pharmacy have to screen the kardex to ensure all correct medications are being sent home.

I do hope that your time as an inpatient in 3 South otherwise was a positive experience and I can assure you that I will share feedback with staff members and senior management. I hope you are recovering well

The information leaflet relating to the Discharge Lounge is below


Best wishes Ashlene Kelly

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