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Dermatology day case procedure

Posted By Maisie28

"Dermatology day case procedure"

About: Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / Dermatology

(as the patient),

In February I attended the Dermatology Unit for the removal of a nodular lesion on my lower left leg. The procedure was carried out by 

I was supported by very friendly and brilliant team who made me feel very relaxed before undergoing the surgery.

It was explained to me that I was to take care to elevate my leg and what to do if there was any excessive bleeding. After three days I was to take the dressing off and apply vaseline three times a day to the stitches. I was told I would now be under the care of my GP surgery in the event of any problems and the stitches to be removed in 14 days. All well explained and great care taken. 

I was very disturbed to see when I removed the dressing that some of the stitches had pulled on one side and torn the skin leaving small open wounds. After the weekend I began to realise that the wounds were looking angry so I took myself to my GP surgery, where my doctor prescribed antibiotics. I returned to see the nurse in 3 days as by this time my leg was swollen so she applied a compression bandage.

Now reflecting on my experience and the fact that during my initial appointment in December when I was told that I would need a compression bandage after the surgery, why this was not applied?

So now I am feeling very disappointed with the care I received.

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Responses

Response from Jason Cookson, Deputy Unit Manager, Dermatology, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 3 months ago
Jason Cookson
Deputy Unit Manager, Dermatology,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 19/02/2025 at 11:07
Published on Care Opinion on 23/04/2025 at 11:56

Thankyou Maisie28 for your feedback. I am deeply sorry that your experience with us on the unit was not what you expected. For me to look into this in more detail. I would need more information. We as a unit try our best to provide a positive experience and I will definitely pass this feedback to the staff on the unit so this does not happen again.

Jason

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Maisie28 (the patient)

Because there were two clinicians involved the first in December at the outpatients clinic explaining what would happen - that here would be a hole in my leg, and I would need a compression bandage. The second clinician who carried out the procedure in February stitched the incision very tightly and after 3 days when the dressing was removed it was obvious the stitches were too tight. With a compression bandage I would never have gone through the discomfort during the healing. I had to see the practice nurse for 4 weeks for a compression bandage and now after nearly two months my leg is at last fully healed.

I feel because there was no discussion with me about why the procedure would be different than first discussed, I was left with a very disappointing experience.

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