"Praise for nursing staff & comment re discharge process"

I was recently an in-patient in Exeter Hospital. I had been driving to visit friends in Exeter when I suddenly became unwell and I was taken by ambulance to Exeter hospital and was ultimately diagnosed with pneumonia.

After initial treatment in the Acute Medical Unit I was taken to the Respiratory ward, Culm East - Bay A.

I cannot praise the nursing staff enough on this ward. On my second day on this ward a patient in the next bed to me was found to be positive with Norovirus and this severely compounded the workload for the staff.

It was a pity that this patient wasn’t moved to an isolation ward as it made it a very difficult experience for the remaining 5 patients on the ward. We were essentially in lockdown and were unable to use the shower and not allowed to leave the ward. The effects of the Novovirus made it impossible for the rest of us to get any sleep as the nursing staff were constantly caring 24/7 for this patient.

The nursing staff who deserve everlasting praise for their patience and fortitude are: Sam, Ash, Shaijo, Dennis, Rachel (breakfast server) and Lilli.

In addition, very special thanks should go to Hayley RN and Tash HCA.

I was going to be discharged, and the plan was to move the Norovirus patient to a private isolation room and close our ward for deep cleaning.

I wasn’t allowed to go to the discharge lounge and wait for my friend to pick me up, so I was waiting for my meds from pharmacy and my discharge papers from 10am on the ward. Then the staff came to tell us that the new plan was to keep the ward open and bring 2 more new patients onto the ward!

I wasn't happy about this as I was about to leave and get away from the existing infections, but new ones were being introduced to my ward.

I asked if I could go and wait in the quiet room but was told no because they might need to use it for patients' families. I asked if I could wait in the corridor and again was told no. But a nurse suggested I pull the curtains around my bed. I also asked for a mask and then sat with a mask on behind the curtains from 10 am until 2:40.

This was a disappointing end to my stay in Exeter Hospital. I was being discharged to the general population anyway, so I think someone needs to come up with a solution to accommodate patients who find themselves in the situation I was in.

Overall, I wish to praise the excellent nursing staff working very hard and with amazing patience and care.