"Emergency transfer for major hip reconstruction"

In a freak accident while on day two of a week’s holiday, I fell from a height, fracturing my hip and was airlifted from the Highlands to Dundee. I experienced acute pain, distress and shock.

What was good:

Out of the three wards I was placed in, Ward 22 was excellent. It was quit and peaceful. All the staff were professional, calm, and communication was first class. 

The physio team were also very good, encouraging, supportive and clear.

My surgeon was very clear, a great listener and answered all my questions. Excellent bedside manner.

Not so good:

Ward 18 was horrible. It was very noisy and difficult to achieve privacy and sleep, with a bright light shining right across my cubicle every time staff went in and out of a door from the ward - to restrooms.

Some nurses pulled faces when I requested my curtains remained closed. Other nurses joined in the almost constant raucous blethering, and there was a lot of effing and jeffing. Several patients swore profanely and constantly, even when young children were present visiting. Instead of being asked to tone it down, they were encouraged, egged on even, by some of the laughing, nursing staff.

The hospital food offered was almost inedible, with no fresh greens - only overcooked mush, and often very salty. I was unable to have any visitors because I was 650 miles from home and totally reliant on the hospital offering. Although I had completed menu choices, I kept being given meals for another patient, most of which I could not eat. My requests every day for fresh fruit were met with negative responses, apart from one banana in five days.

Questions about what some of my pills were for went unanswered, and also I could not get any explanation or information about my blood pressure. 

I was moved late at night four days after my operation, with no warning nor explanation, at 00.30 to Ward 22, finally getting settled again at 01.30. The single porter who pushed my bed had difficulty with it and several times I experienced excruciating pain as they manhandled it through multiple heavy double doors with no one to help. We seemed to go underground and it was very cold. No additional blanket was offered.

Three cannulas were inserted in my arms for no apparent reason, two never used, and I had to beg to get them removed.

Being severely constipated after five days, because of the poor diet, and oxycodone administered, I needed the commode to try to pass a motion. On the first occasion it took nearly a hour to produce anything. One nurse refused to bring the commode, insisting I walk to the bathroom, until I explained I had experienced a full haemorrhoidectomy some years ago, which had weakened the internal muscles. There was extreme pain, tearing and bleeding, but no nursing care was offered. 

Overall the stay was most unpleasant, and I feel lessons could be learned to improve other patients’ experience.