My wife was admitted with a stroke and sadly died. The medical staff particularly the nurses were amazing so caring and sensitive and compassionate I don't know how they do that day in day out. Less impressive was the insensitive handling when she was first admitted via an ambulance. I was left with no support or information alone and correctly convinced my wife was dying. When I was told, the request for organ donorship was said in the same sentence giving me no time to think about the fact that my best friend was leaving me. Further, when my wife died I had to stand in A&E and was made to wait before being able to see her. I know this is one of the hardest jobs there is and resources are limited and need to be focussed on medical care but some very simple management and process changes would make a big difference to people in distress. e.g, have a separate desk area for relatives of emergency/ deceased victims so they don't need to stand in the queue behind people with strained fingers. I appreciate it cannot be manned as a stand alone station but someone approaching that part of the desk would alert reception staff to be sensitive. When my wife died I was made to stand at the desk for nearly 2 minutes at 2.00am while the receptionist carried on typing. As far as the treatment and support in emergencies, there should be a more sensitive procedure both in ensuring the distressed relatives are themselves OK, and a far more sensitive approach to dealing with telling a spouse their lifelong partner is dying. Thank you to the nursing staff in emergency and on the ward. I know I can't name you but my family thought you are saints and we cannot thank you enough.
"Nursing versus management"
About: Ipswich Hospital / Accident and emergency Ipswich Hospital Accident and emergency Ipswich IP4 5PD
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