"Inpatient care"

Recently I was admitted to Ward 2D at Crosshouse hospital, I was an inpatient for a few weeks. I am a complex patient with multiple rare conditions, not including the rare infection that required the admission. I require a picc line and multiple antibiotics that the ward hadn't given before and one that was a first for Ayrshire and Arran. As you can imagine I was extremely anxious about starting my treatment and if the ward would be clued up on how to deal with Adernal Insufficiency, as in the past I have had negative experiences. 

When I was brought onto the ward from CAU I was welcomed by a nursing assistant, she ensured I had all I needed. Even going as far to have the spider in my room removed! Thank you Richard for that, and Kailegh for removing a live spider another time! 

Before starting my cocktail of antibiotics the nurse explained them to me, she took time out to talk with me about all the drugs and calm my nerves. Taking that extra time with me was a huge difference to how I have been treated in the past, Kailegh that night helped me more than she probably knows to feel at ease with my treatment and the ward. 

As I was going to be a patient for sometime, the ward allowed me to put some pictures on the wall, which made it feel a little better. The staff leant my coffee and breakfast order, this little touch made me feel more like part of the team than a patient. All the staff would take the time to chat with me and my little girl when she visited.  

The domestics on the ward became almost like friends chatting away. Catherine in the morning, always made sure I had a cup of coffee waiting on my table before I had even woken. Jillan in the evening had a cup of coffee made for me when she started and a chat. These little gestures of kindness go along way when you are in for a long time. Can't forget Sharon at the weekend and the other Gillian during the week! Thank you so much, you made my time that bit better! 

I honestly don't think I have the words to describe the kindness of all the nurses: Lyndsay, Grant, Sharon, Kari, Louisa, Joanne, Diane, Megan Lee, Marion, Emma, Kailegh, Nicole, Katie and Alison. Sorry if I have forgotten anyone. 

All the staff made my weeks on the ward fly by, every member of staff took the time to get to know me and all my medical conditions. All staff were willing to learn anything they may not have known, and I was the practice patient for a lot of the staff to learn picc lines. If it hadn't been for the staff I don't know how I would have gotten through my time on the ward. 

When I needed a blood transfusion, I was anxious as I had never had one before, even though Lyndsay wasn't my nurse that day, she knew how I felt about having one and made a point of checking in on me and having a laugh with me about it. This gesture of kindness makes a huge different to me as a patient and I cannot thank her enough. Every member of the nursing team on the ward was the same, professional, kind and friendly. Reassuring me at every step when I had a wobble about my treatment. The ward started to feel like a second home and I would happily go back. In fact I will be requesting ward 2D if I have an admission in the future. 

With regards to how the ward was staffed at points, this could have been much better. The ward is often understaffed, which puts pressure on the staff and could lead to a lack in patient care. The ward had a covid outbreak and was closed, the higher up bosses decided to open the ward a day earlier than PHS recommends. But they didn't get staff in to cover the extra patients that were sent up. Patients had to be moved to make room for the new admissions, one elderly patient was absolutely distraught being moved out a 6-bedded room to a side room as they weren't desclated yet. I believe this is absolutely shocking,  the distress to that patient could have been avoided if the ward opened the next day. They were a one-to-one patient and with no extra staff on, the ward struggled that evening.

I am immuno compromised and my nurse  was the same nurse who was had the covid patients. When they're was nurses who didn't have covid patients that could have nurses me. I have to give credit to the staff as they were great with ensuring my safety. I emailed a complaint regarding the above, a senior member of staff came down to see me, they didn't have their facts straight and couldn't answer my questions,  left and said they would be back in a few minutes and never returned.

The ward done their absolute best in a terrible situation that I think bosses behind desks put them in! I honestly feel for the nurses on these days! But it never affected their care. 

Can't forget the Doctors, Dr Allen, Luke, Ella, Matthew, Sara and Archie. I am sure I have forgotten some names and I apologised. Dr Allen is an impressive Doctor his knowledge doesn't stop with his field and he looks at you as a whole person not the condition. This makes sure the care is exceptional.  Luke, was a great laugh, having the worse luck when it came to taking blood, cannulating me. All were great! 

HCA and student nurses, sorry too many of you to name. But you all were great. Keeping me going with coffee and juice. Stopping by for a chat when you could.