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Kidney failure and options

Posted By Maryx24

"Kidney failure and options"

About: Renal Service / Renal Unit

(as the patient),

I became ill with kidney failure in 2010. I had no experience of illness up til then and the whole procedure was a shock. I was in hospital two weeks and then discharged and given details of dialysis at Daisy Hill Hospital. Dialysis lasted seven and a half years and then in 2017 I received a transplant.

The first year of dialysis was automatic.

I turned up when told to and as far as I know everything was normal.

One day a senior nurse asked how I was and surprised myself by bursting into tears. She referred me to a psychologist who I spoke to on two occasions. Gradually I accepted the situation.

I think I would have needed the help of professionals like that who could talk me through what was happening and what was likely to happen, before leaving hospital.

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Responses

Response from Joan O'Hagan, Sister, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health & Social Care Trust 13 months ago
We are preparing to make a change
Joan O'Hagan
Sister, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health & Social Care Trust

Submitted on 27/05/2024 at 15:09
Published on Care Opinion on 28/05/2024 at 11:13

Hello Mary

My Name is Joan and I am a clinical sister in the renal unit.

I remember you starting your dialysis journey, and if my memory serves me correctly it was quite a turbulent journey coming form CAH emergency department to DHH renal to get access and acute dialysis and then onto BCH for further treatment. So I can appreciate that you were indeed in shock.

I am sorry that it took us as staff so long to ask the question of how you are coping with this change to your life style and how you were accepting your illness..

I appreciate this information and think it is a very valid point. I will speak with my manager and colleagues and will endeavor to ensure that all new patients are offered an opportunity to express how they are feeling and coping with dialysis and if they need to speak with any other professional within the multi disciplinary team within the 1st month of treatment.

I feel it takes patients a little while to adjust and to accept the information given.

I will recommend that we add this question to our new patient check list.

.

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Update posted by Maryx24 (the patient)

Please note that I was not being in any way critical of Joan or any member of staff at Daisy Hill. It was a busy ward and I was carried along automatically but when I look back I'm convinced I needed counselling in the City Hospital. I remember asking someone how long I would have dialysis but they didn't give a direct answer only 'we'll see'.

Response from Joan O'Hagan, Sister, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health & Social Care Trust 13 months ago
We have made a change
Joan O'Hagan
Sister, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health & Social Care Trust

Submitted on 29/05/2024 at 12:28
Published on Care Opinion at 12:35

Hi Mary

It is Joan from the renal unit

I did not for one minute think you were being critical of any care you received whilst in DHH, and apologize if my response made you feel this

I very much appreciate your feedback as I am aware as nurses we can get caught up in our daily routines and sometimes forget the patient's journey can be so traumatic.

I feel your feedback will benefit other patients in their dialysis journey, as my manager has given approval for this question to be added to our new patient check list and that staff will offer to contact other professionals were applicable.

Thank you for raising awareness of this very valid point

Regards

Joan.

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