"Two very different ACU visits"

I was seen in Altnagelvin ACU recently for review of a surgical drain. Staff and surgeon were fantastic until I was unfortunate enough to come into contact with a senior nurse. I was told to wait in a room for blood results and to change my drain. They were very rude and accused me of being there when I shouldn’t be. Told me the waiting room is for waiting and rushed me out of there. Their demeanour and attitude were not in line with the basic level of care one would expect. I understand it’s a busy place but if they needed the room there is a basic level of respect that should be shown in my opinion.

I was 6 days post surgery and carrying a drain full of blood. Making me go to a waiting room full of people with nowhere to sit while I was in pain was horrible. I suffer with major social anxiety so being made to stand near all these people with drain in hand was humiliating and I cried. I stood outside the door as long as I could until I needed to sit down due to pain. I sat in the corridor and waited hours until I was in so much pain I was inconsolable. The nurse ignored me when I asked for an update.

Other staff seen how upset I was and only then I was told my results were fine and I could go home. It is my belief that there was significant delay in my care due to the charge nurse moving me from that room. Four and a half hours is a long time to wait for blood results. 

I attended ACU again at a later date, hoping not to run into the the staff member who was rude to me previously. Thankfully they were not there. I was seen promptly and given the best care by all staff. The surgeon has been fantastic when I’ve seen him in both Altnagelvin and SWAH. The other doctor who removed my drain was amazing and treated me so well. All nurses I had contact with were very friendly and reassuring. I got blood results in less than two hours, had a lovely chat with the pharmacist who explained everything very well.

The only negative was the letter I was given said I was discharged as deceased, which is a little bit concerning. 

Two very different experiences in Altnagelvin ACU.