"Became unwell with cellulitis"

I was visiting family in Northern Ireland and became unwell with cellulitis. I received absolutely superb service from the Lagan valley urgent care service. I was seen and treated within 3 hours of my initial call and then follow up was arranged for the next few days.

I thought it was amazing that there was an option to avoid A&E but also that I didn’t need to take up GP time for something that clearly needed urgent care.

Thanks to all at Lagan valley! 10/10.

Unfortunately, I became more unwell and did need to attend RVH A&E, the A&E team, despite being incredibly busy, were also excellent.

I was then transferred to an acute medicine ward which was very poor. I was initially missed on the ward round as my name hadn’t been put on the birds, then the plan from the consultant’s ward round was not documented accurately  and so the consultant's plan from the morning was not followed throughout the day which was incredibly frustrating.

I was supposed to be discharged after my evening dose of IV antibiotics. The medical team had planned to discuss with the microbiology team which antibiotic would be the most appropriate to send me home with (I had an early flight home in the morning). No discussion took place and no discharge medication was prescribed despite me asking what the plan from microbiology was and was my discharge medication ready multiple times from about 1pm until 11pm, when I eventually left as was planned in the morning.

I then had a very rude phone call at 1am from the ward doctor, who didn’t introduce themselves properly, asking if I thought it was a good idea to abscond the ward with a pseudomonas infection.

I didn’t have a pseudomonas infection (micro sample still not back but was always felt to be very unlikely)  and the plan was always for me to leave after my last dose of antibiotics. The nursing staff were well aware of the plan for me to leave after my last dose of IV antibiotics and there was no suggestion from them that I was absconding or even leaving against medical advice. It had been the plan for me to leave all day.

The only positive thing about my medical admission was the day and night (deputy) charge nurses on ward 2F were lovely!