"Humbled by care from porters to senior nurses"

After a brief period in A&E, having suffered a large blood clot that hit my heart, I was transferred to Doyle ward, who specialise in Chest and Lung conditions. I had been here 10 years ago with a similar less serious problem and I was placed in the same sub ward and the same bed space. This time I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the men’s wing of Doyle.

There were 7 men being cared for in the sub ward. 5 of the 7 were bed ridden, having a variety of serious illnesses including strokes and PE’s as well as some other serious life threatening conditions that were linked, including cancer. 

It’s an open ward and privacy when you need it, is a simple curtain that wraps each bed when a patient needs treatment or if the doctors come to discuss their condition. When the treatment or consultation is over the curtains are drawn back. As the beds obviously face outwards, you find yourself looking straight out to your fellow ‘inmates’. Everyone is looking at everyone else. 

There’s good reason for it, but privacy is not really something that can be provided in this set up. 

The other 6 men were all older than me. The youngest was 74, and the oldest 90. I am 52. The ages of patients are not disclosed but because of the open set up, you start up conversations and in a short period of time you have the chance to get to know the men and their stories. 

Some stories are heart breaking. Some of the older men struggled a great deal with pain, and to holding on to their dignity when they needed help from the nurses and support staff with all their very basic needs. Yet they were dignified. When men share being ill together it is the best of levellers and a form of comradery soon develops. 

But this feedback for Doyle was inspired by the care and by the individuals who provided it.

Over the 4 days I met many different members of the Doyle team. They need to work in shifts. The job is relentless. Be in no doubt everyone is working very hard in challenging conditions. But the atmosphere in the ward is calm and in the main, it feels relaxed. How important this is. The nurses in Doyle have the toughest of roles. Many of the patients need intimate daily care as a starting point. Then the nurses have to manage the health needs and of course deal with all sorts of anxiety that is being experienced. Some patients are clearly frightened and need regular reassurance. 

Because they carry out the role with high spirits and with much humour when it’s merited, the atmosphere was positive. They also have the strength of character to know when patients need to be corrected or told off. Old men can be cantankerous and opinionated at times. 

They do this role without complaining and from what I saw no one looked to dodge the tough jobs when they came up. There are regulations to follow which we don’t see the extent of but paperwork is being produced everywhere. 

My treatment involved 2 injections administered once a day plus a blood pressure and heart rate check up every 2 hours day and night. I was so easy to look after. Most of the time I was just sat by my bed in such admiration for the care team, many of whom were students or newly qualified. Youngsters really, on basic salaries doing work that most of us could never do.

The nurses are supported by the cleaning and the catering teams and there are porters and other staff coming and going all day. I got to know these people who were always kind and courteous and who you see as part of the overall care you receive. There are clearly strong working relationships here.

I had been told on the 3rd day that if my BP remained stable that they would look to release me the following day. 

On the morning of the 4th day our sub ward had to be locked down because of a possible infection risk. Extra precautions were needed to help prevent the possible risk of this spreading to vulnerable patients across Doyle. 

This put a lot of pressure on the nurses within our area. One in particular who was on her third full day on the ward and who was my nurse during this time. I am not sure of her age but she could have been my daughter. 

Three full days (7am to 7.30pm). Doesn’t sound too much? Over 37 hours full on and as you get to the end of this stint and you are still having to be full of energy and deal with the lives of men who are fragile and often grumpy. 

You could see the combination of this overall responsibility, the tiredness and the emotional rollercoaster of the role itself (not to mention the general lack of experience) was weighing heavy on her. 

Yet she was able to compose herself, dig in and got through it. 

It’s very hard to sum up ‘my story’ hence the long note above. However,

The high level medical care I was given at A&E and within Doyle was amazing and doesn’t get a mention. 

The care on Doyle from porter to senior nurse, from the tea lady to the catering team, was very much appreciated. I was humbled by it to be honest. Everyone is keen to support the need for pay rises for nurses and for better resources within the medical profession and NHS but most have no idea just how tough a job it is. 

Some important constructive criticisms.

The hot food is very poor. Virtually inedible or so over cooked as to leave no nutrients alive to help the recovery of the patients. After a couple of truly shocking experiences I choose sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Much more could and should be done here and nutritionists should be involved in setting the menus. 

The toilets and shower areas are worn out and don’t feel clean. They get hammered but they are grotty. They are cleaned but they are so old you can’t clean them properly. 

They don’t look any different to when I was in them 10 years ago. 

I am writing this at home. I am still wondering about how my fellow patients are and how everyone is getting on. The whole experience has had an impact on me and for the better.