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observations when visiting a patient in wards 4F and 4E

Posted By GlynisS

"observations when visiting a patient in wards 4F and 4E"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Cardiology

(as a relative),

I was disappointed when visiting a relative in ward 4F to find a 4 bedded room shared by both men and women as I thought that arrangement had been stopped some time ago.

Ward 4E seemed to have many staff but it was hard to know who was in charge and who to ask about my relative's care. My relative waited all day on transfer to anotherhospital on two occasions. Both times communication to us was poor.

However, the outcome of my relative's stay was good and his condition improved.

The corridor in the ward seemed cluttered. Perhaps the area is so cramped that it is difficult to organise and keep clean but I feel sure improvements could be made.

The approach to those wards as you approach from the lift was often untidy.

I was shocked by the litter outside the entrance to Crosshouse and how the rule of no smoking in the grounds is ignored. Parking is an ongoing problem

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 03/05/2017 at 15:31
Published on Care Opinion at 15:40

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear GlynisS,

I am sorry you found so many things that were unhappy with.

I would like to try to explain some of your points:

Mixed wards are not the norm and is avoided as much as possible. It only happens in some specialties when it is absolutely necessary such as Orthopaedic wards and high dependency. The length of time this occurs is kept to the absolute minimum. The smoking situation is currently being addresses. We are awaiting legislation from Scottish Government which will mean that anyone smoking within 15M of a building will be liable to a fixed penalty notice, levied by Environmental Health Officers. The local smoke free grounds policy will continue, along with the new perimeter legislation. We will have more to report on this shortly. We hope that the reconfiguration of the front door area of Crosshouse and the other measures put in place for example the parking warden will alleviate the parking issue.

If you would like to explore these issues further, please contact me on 01563 826222 or email me at eunice.goodwin@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your valuable observations. I will pass your post on for the teams to consider and for their actions. I will update you here of anything further. For example, in light of your post, I am sure we can have a look at the lift area and corridor with a view to making it more appealing and welcoming.

I am glad your relative is on the mend,

kindest regards,

Eunice

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Response from NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Submitted on 09/05/2017 at 10:13
Published on Care Opinion at 12:45

Dear GlynisS,

I spoke to our ward sister regarding your comments about Ward 4E and this is what she wanted to tell you

'Our ward can indeed appear cluttered – it is in dire need or refurbishment and this alone gives a feeling of being “ cluttered” and also storage is an issue in general throughout the hospital. Having said that, our ward is an extremely busy working environment with 7 consultants who can be in the ward at any given time, with their junior teams of around 3-4 doctors, Advanced Nurse Practitioners accompanying them. We also have a nurse caseload holder who is always around her caseload area and relatives can approach at any time. There are notices around the ward and before entrance to ward, informing visitors who is in charge. That may have need updated and I will check this today. Thank you for taking the time to let us know your view of our ward, we will do what we can to help with this'.

Kind regards

Jan

Jan Thompson

Charge Nurse

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Update posted by GlynisS (a relative)

Hello Jan

Thank you for your reply.

I am aware of the pressures within the NHS and am sympathetic therefore only comment on areas where I think improvement is possible. Crosshouse is not a modern building and in many ways I think inadequate for the increasing number of patients and staff who now use the facility. I did not see the notice re Nurse in Charge...that may have been my fault or perhaps the notice is not obvious to visitors.

Anyway, thank you for paying attention to my comments.

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