"Poor experience"

I attended the Gynaecology assessment unit in Ninewells following a miscarriage and I must say I was less than impressed by my experience from my arrival to my departure. I would never normally dream of complaining, but after some deep thought and having a very different experience in the gynaecology ward (ward 36), I feel it is best to highlight the issues to allow the staff in the assessment area to learn from this and hopefully improve their practice. 

On arrival, the staff we saw completely lacked enthusiasm and were unwelcoming, they were not caring or compassionate in the slightest and I felt almost as if I were just another task added to them that day, rather than a human being that required care and treatment. The care I did eventually receive I could not fault, but first impressions mean a great deal, particularly to a patient who is already incredibly anxious and upset.

The lack of professionalism that I witnessed was beyond belief. Staff members were overheard (neither did they make an attempt to speak discreetly) about how they were fed up of this place and the people in it, and how they needed a break from it. I also overheard their complaints and moans to one another about various different staff members, how they do not work together as part of a team and how it is not surprising that many people have left the department in recent months.

We heard the same staff members also complaining that they had not had the breaks that they are entitled to, and whilst I agree this is shocking, it made me feel terrible that these staff members were busy carrying out jobs that the doctors ordered for me (blood tests, scans, etc) when they had not had their break. My partner reminded me at this point that the staff members were there to care for me as that is their job, and it shouldn’t matter whether they had a break or not as we were experiencing something terrible.

Having personally worked in a toxic environment similar to what has been described in my previous employment, I hope that this team in this department get the support and guidance from management that is required to resolve the issues that they have clearly underlying, as I feel this is impacting the standard of care being provided. I would have expected in an area where people are experiencing loss and grief that the staff would be much more sympathetic, compassionate, welcoming and show enthusiasm for their jobs, it is a sensitive area and they should remind themselves that they have chosen to work there for a reason, putting working politics aside.

With regards to my treatment, I could not fault this. The doctors were very thorough and kind, my options were explained clearly and I was allowed time to discuss and decide with my partner how we should proceed. I chose to return to ward 36 for further treatment and I must say, the nursing staff in ward 36 were incredible and my experience was faultless. I was super anxious about attending after my previous experience, but I quickly felt cared for and nothing was a bother to us. 

We would like to say a massive thank you to all doctors and nursing staff on ward 36.