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"Incorrect aftercare advice"

About: Dorset County Hospital / Dermatology Dorset County Hospital / General surgery

(as a service user),

I recently had minor surgery on my lower let to remove a small painful lump. The appointment was very quickly arranged (I was put on the cancer pathway) and pleasantly and smoothly carried out.

However, the advice I was given for aftercare was incorrect. I was told to use vaseline onto the lesion but sadly this did not work and my leg weeped, was uncomfortable and worrying.

I am in my 60s and in good health, but here I was with a horrible leg ulcer. The efficient and far more knowledgeable nurses at my local doctors showed me how to dress the wound and treat my leg. Five weeks later it is beginning to heal.

The nurses say they have at least four people a day coming to them for skin ulcer treatment which could be avoided if the correct information is given post surgery. Vaseline should only be put on the wound if it is a scab, not a weeping infected lesion.

I have never complained about anything in the NHS before, and I am only doing this, as it seems like a terrible waste of resources, time and care. I have not been able to exercise and some people would be off work. I do have some photos but they are pretty gruesome!

Thank you for this opportunity to suggest a simple hand out and for sharing of learning between the nurse practitioners and surgeons. 

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Responses

Response from Hannah Robinson, Patient Experience and Volunteer Lead, Patient Experience, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2 months ago
Hannah Robinson
Patient Experience and Volunteer Lead, Patient Experience,
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 17/03/2025 at 09:58
Published on Care Opinion at 09:58


Hello Agnes.

Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback regarding your care at Dorset County hospital.

I am concerned to read your comments and would welcome the opportunity to look into this further. I will share your comments with the Patient Experience Team and your suggestion that the Dermatology service review the advice given and provide a hand out with after care information on it. Should you wish to contact the team with any other issues or concerns please call 0800 783 8058 or email patientexperience@dchft.nhs.uk

Best wishes

Julia Woodhouse

Patient Experience and Public Engagement Manager

Dorset County Hospital

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

Update posted by Agnes1960 (a service user)

Thank you Julia, I appreciate this and would be happy to help create a hand-out if necessary. I would like to be able to help other people and save the nurse practitioners having to see quite so many people with ulcers.

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