"Understaffed and long delays to treatment"

Maternity Triage Assessment Unit

Presenting with post c section wound infection, already on antibiotics from GP. Arrived in unit at 15:20.

* Day Care Unit beds opened for myself, as no bed to accommodate in MTAU.

* No cot available for my baby, as only two available in the unit and being used up. Have been in the unit for prolonged period of time - at no point we were offered it.

* Observations taken by midwife however no temperature obtained at first point of contact.

* No bloods obtained, upon arrival and contact with the midwife who stated that inflammation markers can be elevated; however they will check with medical staff if they should be obtained. I have stated; given the fact that I’m already on oral antibiotics and feeling more unwell, with signs of serve infection bloods should be obtained. I was informed, that it has to be ran by medical staff.

* Approx 16:30 I have had my post c section wound cleaned and soaked, after this it was exposed to air. Left with flat pads, under myself. The wound exudate leaking onto flat pads. Re attended at 21:00, provided with a sanitary towel to put over the wound to be able to get dressed as no surgical wound pads available in MTAU and no staff able to source from elsewhere. Approx 00:00 - The wound has eventually leaked through the sanitary towel, underwear and trousers. I have requested net pants and a surgical wound pad again, been told none available and just to put in another sanitary towel to absorb the wound exudate.

* Approx 19:00: My husband, went over to the midwives station to enquire about the plan and time to assessment, as at this point I was left exposed on the bed having to air the wound, in order for medical staff to assess it. He was informed that I’ll be going home with oral antibiotics, he re informed the member of staff that I was already on oral antibiotics, he was then told I’ll get another antibiotic added and discharged home after being seen by medical staff. Member of staff unable to comment how much longer it will take until review.

* Blood samples obtained by nightshift midwife at 21:00, when it has been questioned why this hasn’t been carried out on arrival or when I’ve been seen by previous midwife. I was informed that the medical staff didn’t want bloods until they have reviewed the wound.

* At 23:20 Medical staff arrived carry out a review: informed that CRP was above 200 - inline with serve infection. Will require IV antibiotics, IV fluids and Tissue Viability input.

* Approx 00:35 comment of treatment 1st IV antibiotic administered, 02:00 2nd IV antibiotic administered, no IV fluids commenced.

* Been told because I’m a post natal re admission, I should be placed in a single room as my baby will not be staying with me as I’m not well enough to look after him.

* Ward 73, would not accept me until all antibiotics were through- therefore I didn’t leave MTAU till almost 03:00.

* Approx 03:00 Arrived in ward 73, placed in a bay with six beds in it, 2 other patients with their babies. Attended to the midwife station immediately to ask if they can accommodate a side room, as my baby would not be staying with me. The member of staff has told me that it is my choice not to bring my baby and keep my baby with me in the hospital and added that they will get me home soon. In addition to this I was told all single rooms had to be utilised for with higher acuity.

* At approx 04:00 I had my observations rechecked, first time since initial set of observations upon arrival.

* Approx 04:00 Wound was also dressed by the midwife for the first time since arrival

* I was told that Tissue Viability referral was going to be made - this has been done during the evening.

* Ward rounds, do not take place in the morning; I was seen at 18:15 by the consultant on ward round; next day it’s 18:50 still awaiting to get seen.

* Due to poor staffing levels, morning antibiotics and medication have been administered after 10:30, in effect a further delay to lunch time medications at 15:00.

* Repeat bloods not obtained till approx 15:30 due to poor staffing levels.

* Midwife’s good at ensuring PRN analgesia given promptly when requested

* The six bed bay that I have been in, is being used by more patients from other bays to use showering facilities, as other ones are out of order in the ward. Shower has only been cleaned once this morning by a domestic.

Ward 73 Dinning Room Area

* Patients are to help themselves independently to items that are not single packaged: such as bread and bread rolls. Patients and relatives are touching these items with bare hands.

* No opening dates and expiry dates on cereal containers.

* Butter portions lying out of the fridge not refrigerated for prolonged periods of time.

* No toster available, yet ward 73 has one.

* Relatives sitting in dining room, eating patient’s food in the morning time.

* Milk in bags, open bags in jugs, where the milk has leaked in to the jugs.

* No yogurts available

* No separate patient’s own food fridge

* Normal fridge, has a minimal capacity for storage of milk and food.

* No microwave to re heat food by patients, yet they can use toaster in other areas of hospital.

* surfaces left dirty at breakfast time, with rubbish laying around

Overall, all of the above is contributing negatively to the experience of my current admission and impacting my post patrum mental health.