"Some issues with post-operative care"

Following an operation for a radical nephrectomy, I awoke in the recovery ward and was soon moved to Chilgrove Ward. I understand that it’s a good thing for patients to become mobile as quickly as possible after surgery and to enable me to eat and drink I had to sit upright in the bed. To this end I was encouraged by two nurses to raise myself on my hands and slide up the bed.

As anyone who has had abdominal surgery will tell you, this is an extremely uncomfortable manoeuvre, involving considerable pain notwithstanding the PCA. Having got to the desired position the bed head was raised, causing me to slide back down the bed. The procedure was repeated, with the same result.

At this point I suggested that the nurse place my travel bag at the foot of the bed so that I could rest my feet against it. This aided me in sliding up the bed AND prevented me from sliding back down when the bed head was raised.

Two questions arise from this experience. Firstly, why aren’t nurses allowed to assist patients in moving around/sitting up etc. I can understand their reluctance to shift 25 stone patients, but I weigh half that amount. Surely it could be left to the discretion of the nurses?

Secondly, as my experience must be repeated thousands of times every day, why hasn’t anyone thought to provide a wooden box at the foot of the bed so the patient has something to push against? Is it not possible to provide an overhead grab handle to aid the patient in traversing from supine to seated?

Following my discharge on Friday, when I awoke on Saturday morning I had numerous large blisters on the periphery of the dressings on my side and back.

As some of these had burst, and not at all sure what they were, I emailed the nurses at the Urology department (who had assured me that they were available at any time to deal with any problems). I received an automated reply on 26th (from number one, but suggesting that if it was urgent I contact number two which I did.) She was on leave until 3rd April, but it resulted in a suggestion that I contact number three. Number three called me on 27th and as I had been unable to contact my GP, she said she would arrange for a community nurse to see me the next day.

In the meantime she suggested I call my local surgery, which informed me that I’d have to see a doctor and arranged an appointment for 28th.

The urology nurse called again to say that the community nurse would only have the same dressings, and as it was believed to be allergic contact dermatitis, the use of those dressing would result in more blisters.

By this time nurse one had become involved and said it was unacceptable for me to drive to the surgery and she would arrange for a community nurse to visit. Twenty minutes later she phoned to say there were no nurses available either today or tomorrow.

I eventually saw a nurse at the local surgery who removed the old dressings (which were due to be removed on that day) and treated the blisters.

This entire episode is down to a lack of communication.

If specialist nurses aren’t available, it’s no good suggesting the patient contact another nurse who is also known to be unavailable, and then a further nurse who is also unavailable. Patients don’t mind nurses taking leave or having time off at weekends, but if you suggest that someone is available for emergencies, make sure that they are.

Accepting that some services aren’t available at weekends, a contact email or number that is available would be very useful, bearing in mind that GPs/nursing staff are also not available at weekends.