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"Communication is key"

About: Royal Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as the patient),

Referred by my doctor to come for CT scan because of how I was feeling. Came to A&E, was triaged quickly and sent to zone B clinic area, I thought great makes sense to have somewhere for this sort of thing. Saw Dr fairly quickly, who referred me for CT which took 4 hrs to get done. Got my bloods done after I saw the Dr.

At 11pm we were told the dr had gone home for the day and we’d have to go back to A&E. I totally understand a technical glitch with the bloods lab, however no one told us what was happening, people waiting had to go and ask. Telling people what's happening and what the hold-up is matters… communication is key, there was none of that.

I also feel that if you are having a clinic for these things then a Dr should be there until all patients are seen. We shouldn’t become another department's problem. Accept responsibility of your role and wait until bloods are through and sorted. In my job I don’t just abandon a task half way through, I have to finish it before I can leave, and I don’t work with people’s lives and illnesses which to me if far more important.

I am not pleased with service and very disappointed after being off to such a good start with it.

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Responses

Response from John Barron, Service Manager, Service Manager, Urgent and Emergency Care, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 11 months ago
John Barron
Service Manager, Service Manager, Urgent and Emergency Care,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 05/08/2024 at 16:01
Published on Care Opinion at 16:01


Dear CCPR,

My name is John Barron, I am the Service Manager for Urgent and Emergency Care at Belfast Trust. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience on Care opinion, I am saddened to read what started off as a positive experience, did not end that way.

The role of the Zone B assessment area is to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time for patients. It is with deepest regret that for you, this did not happen. Staff endeavour to ensure that a patients episode of care is completed by the same clinician however on occasions this may not be possible, especially when staff's working day has ended. It would also not be normal practice to transfer patients to the Emergency Department from the Zone B assessment area. I can only assume that staff felt this to be the safest option in the absence of all your test results.

As you have highlighted communication is key, I am sincerely sorry the attending clinician or staff did not discuss with you the delays in your results being available, which meant you were transferred to the Emergency Department for follow up. I will ensure that your feedback is shared with the team.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your care further, please email PatientExperience@belfasttrust.hscni.net and I would be happy to contact you to discuss further.

John

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