"Admitted to A&E"

On arrival at A&E by ambulance, I was seen instantly by two consultants who asked questions as to how my accident had occurred.  Both consultants were compassionate and caring and administered morphine to help with the severe pain I was in.

I was taken fairly quickly to both x-ray and CT scan department. Waiting time for this was no longer than 10 minutes.

Results from CT Scan and x-ray determined I had broken 5 ribs and suffered a collapsed lung -  slight damage to my diaphragm also.

I was given strong pain relief and then I was placed in a holding area until a hospital bed became available.

I was in the holding bay (which was also a nurse/consultant station) for roughly 11 hours and during my time here, every single staff member entering the area acknowledged me with friendly eye contact and a smile. I was quite impressed. I was regularly checked by staff who monitored my breathing and  showed concern and care about my comfort and level of pain. I was regularly checked and asked if I needed any further pain relief.

Once on the ward, I was well cared for by nurses and HCA's. A senior pain management nurse visited me fairly quickly and advised that a nerve block would be fitted to provide regular pain relief. This happened very quickly too. She was empathetic and considerate towards the pain I was in.

The anaesthetist  carrying out the nerve block procedure was fantastic - he was extremely gentle and very mindful of the incredible pain I was experiencing and he kept chatting to take my mind off the pain. 

If I could change anything here, it would be to have a general anaesthetic prior to the nerve block being fitted.  I believe I have quite a high pain threshold but even though the procedure was reasonably quick (probably 10 minutes) the pain during this procedure was distressingly unbearable. However, I am not complaining really as they worked tirelessly to relieve the pain I was in.

I was always made completely aware of the drugs I was being given and why.  

In summary, I cannot fault the medical care I received in the first 48 hours of my admittance into A&E.  

How the service could have been better:  

1. When doing their ward rounds most consultants seemed indifferent to me as a person.  Most of them lacked a real warmth and empathy -  they made me very aware (due to their negative body language and eye contact) the visit was very limited.  I completely understand they have a lot of patients to see but I would have liked to have seen more positive interpersonal skills being demonstrated.  e.g. showing a genuine interest in the patient, as opposed to the clinical diagnosis.  eg just a smile and small banter....it makes all the difference.  The student consultants that accompanied the consultants each morning looked bored out of their heads:  

2. I would say the same about my ward stay too.  Whilst the care was there - it presented itself perfunctorily - without an individual personal touch.  The HCA's seem to do all the routine nursing like oxygen and blood pressure etc and the only time I ever saw a qualified nurse was when I needed pain relief.  

3. Tick Box culture:  During my 8 days in hospital I was completely independent in going to the toilet/washing/showering/ getting in and out of bed (which was quite difficult initially).  However, 10 mins before my discharge from the ward I was in the bathroom and a HCA knocked on the bathroom door and asked if they could check my bottom!  When I asked them why, they replied they needed to check if I had any bed sores.  I very politely and respectfully explained that I had been out of bed, going to the bathroom several times a day, independently for 7 days out of the 8 days and on that basis I knew that I did not have any bed sores. They were just following their tick box procedure, I guess.  But I did think it was a bit ridiculous that they weren't aware of this fact.