I was discharged from ward 5. This was my second stay on ward 5 in 2 months. Although I'm very grateful for the attention I received especially my last visit after I became ill after a operation I feel the ward lacks true empathy with its patients. I felt very strongly that I was treated differently to some of the other patients as in my first stay I expressed concerns to the ward sister regarding poor medication management and that patients basic needs weren't being met.
This last visit has me on a 4 bedded ward with three elderly patients. One fell during the night but we're only aware that she had fallen as I summoned help. The staff seem to be lacking in presence on the wards with vulnerable adults. On several occasions two people who needed assistance to the toilet were left unattended in the W. C and walked themselves back to their beds. One occasion one of the ladies became distressed when her family were leaving no staff where seen from 18: 50 until 19. 45 as handover was extended ( told to me by a nurse). The ladies family couldn't see anyone on the ward so I sat with this patient until she calmed. I also helped her into bed because she was trying to do it herself and the nurses never answered my buzzer.
My partner visited outwith visiting times due to living over 30 miles away and working during the visiting times and rightly we had to go to the day room... other people seemed to have relatives in from 10am outwith the said times but nothing was said. Inconsistency!
The things the ward do well is keeping their patients informed but there's a few things people need to remember ... it's work not a social gathering..I don't care where you went for supper last night whilst you chat over me in my bed....I have feelings, so when I say hello it would have been nice to be acknowledged and also to take on board patients are highly stressed in hospital and a little kindness goes along way. I do however appreciate it's a highly intense and busy ward but if you take on a job in care it's worth remembering one day you could be lying in that bed!
"It's worth remembering one day you could be lying in that bed!"
About: Dr Gray's Hospital / General Surgery Dr Gray's Hospital General Surgery IV30 1SN
Posted by Nicholson80 (as ),
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