"Care beyond expectations, but stressful discharge"

I’ve had a mostly positive experience with the Surgical Team at the Antrim Area Hospital in Nov this year, for my colon cancer.

The pre-op assessment and all the necessary procedures were carried very promptly, and I was treated with utmost care by Mr Neely, Dr Cooper, and the nurses at the Programmed Treatment Unit.

I’m eternally grateful to my surgeon, Mr Neely, and the consultant anaesthetist, Dr Morrison, who took every precaution to ensure that my surgery went well. They both visited me after the surgery not only during usual morning rounds but during the day as well to make sure I was ok, and I don’t think they could have taken better care of their own mothers.

Due to my other health conditions, I spent the night after the surgery in the ICU, and the ICU nurses assigned to me and the other staff were absolutely amazing. They noticed the slightest discomfort and attended to me even before I called them. The care from the physiotherapist who visited me on the day after the surgery was also extremely thorough. She showed and made me practise different exercises to keep my strength and prevent a chest infection.

Once I was moved to Ward C3, the high standard of care continued with the junior doctors on duty being very attentive, caring, responsible, providing necessary treatment when needed, and always checking that it worked. Most of the nurses and their teams appeared very skilful, attentive, and nice, and the orderlies were meticulous keeping the ward sparkling clean.

Unfortunately, my discharge day a week after the surgery proved to be rather stressful due to poor communication and discharge management. The doctor on duty prepared the summary and arranged the follow-up home visits by district nurses, and the pharmacist provided everything for my follow-up treatment at home.

However, I had to request several times for the necessary physio assessment to be done, for the dietary instructions to be provided, and for any emergency contact numbers. Earlier, I was told that a dietician would visit me to explain the new dietary requirements, but it never happened. Furthermore, the team (except the doctor and the pharmacist) made me feel like a nuisance and like they just wanted to free up a bed. This last experience, completely different from kind and professional treatment of previous days, was disappointing.

Overall, the care I received at the AAH was of a rather high standard, although some improvements to the daily treatment of patients on the ward would be necessary in the future to ensure the high standard of care is maintained throughout one's stay as an inpatient.