"Recent surgery for perforated appendix and peritonitis"

I was admitted in the afternoon on the Monday and by late evening had been taken to Birchington Ward. After 3 nights there was moved to Cheerful Sparrows Female Ward, Bay 2 for one night and finally to Bay 3 for two nights.

1. Admission process:

Arrived by Ambulance but despite severe abdominal pain was classified as “minor” at the entrance.

Pain increasing to maximum tolerance level within a short time but had to wait for several hours (I was no longer aware how long but I know it was dark by the time I was taken to the ward)

From vague recollection through pain levels I was taken for a scan at some point during the night – cannot recall details after that.

My experience: that the whole process took far too long and that the severity of my situation was not professionally acknowledged earlier. Doctors’ reports on your records will show that I had a perforated appendix which had already flooded and contaminated the abdomen by the time I was finally in the operating theatre. I am aware that this is a life-threatening condition, so why did the medical staff at the various stages of this admission process not err on the side of caution and accelerate the process?

2. Treatment during the hospital stay:

After the operation and throughout my stay, I would like to commend the staff of QEQM Hospital on their care, kindness, helpfulness and friendliness.

I did not note names of individual staff members on Birchington Ward but would commend all who looked after me.

At Cheerful Sparrows Female Ward, I am equally grateful for the very good care and the quality of nursing that I received there. I appreciated that the surgeon who had operated visited regularly to check and update on progress here.

Cheerful Sparrows Female Ward struck me as very well organised - everyone obviously knew their place and responsibility. There were formal but friendly briefings morning & evening at handover, medication, injections etc happened at regular times, so patients knew what to expect, beds were freshly made with fresh towels each morning, and I particularly appreciated the ‘quiet time’ (blinds lowered, no visitors) for an hour after lunch, 

One of the major factors of anxiety when hospitalised with a serious condition is that life seems suddenly out of control, with uncertainty – pain - worry all around. Such a well organised ward goes a long way towards reassuring patient that they are in good hands and that those looking after you know what they are doing for you which relieves the worry and helps on the way to recovery.