"Lessons to learn"

Admitted at 7:30 for an elective procedure. My husband was not allowed in even though others had someone with them. Shown to a side room and a nurse introduced as my named nurse. The consultant came 2 hours later with the anaesthetist.  I was allowed a tea or coffee.  Coffee arrived even though I'd asked for tea.

I did not see or speak to anyone else for over 3 hours! What a difference company would have made. The nurse who took me to theatre was a complete contrast. Chatty and pleasant as were the theatre staff. Such a relief. 

On returning to my room after the operation obs were carried out in silence. Sometime later I rang the buzzer to visit the toilet.  No one answered for some time and as a result I needed a wash and a bed change. The nurse who came could see I had not had the best experience and they did all they could to rectify this. They were professional, caring and friendly. 

I was not discharged until 11:30pm. A very long day. Themined fully even though the documentation Medication/ injections were not explained even though my husband said he was happy to do them they were different to those he'd done before. A TED stocking was not provided and was delivered to my home the following day.  Surely not part of a nurse's role and constitutes a dangerous discharge.

My discharge paperwork does not match. One sheet says dressing change in 2 weeks another 1 week. My dressing wasn't checked before I left and I had to over dress it as there had been significant bleeding through the bandage.

Lessons to learn I think. Many thanks to the many who did care.