"Admission and discharge from the Gynae Ward"

  I was told by my surgeon after two failed hysteroscopies that abdominal surgery (suspected cancer) was booked and pre assessment and bloods done. Previous blood and heart trace had to be repeated as no record of either.   Day before surgery a phone call from the ward told me ring at 7. 30am to confirm a bed. At 7. 30am I rang and rang/ cut off/ rang again about 5 times, then possibly no beds and phone back at 10am.... all very stressful when waiting for surgery and having to time pre op drinks.

The problem of beds is aggravated by the lack of urgency after patients are told they can go home. Waiting for doctor to sign forms, waiting for prescriptions... Last time I was in gynae at the Royal Gwent I dressed and waited all day for doctor to confirm, and when he eventually came late afternoon he just nodded and signed. I could have vacated the bed early in the morning. Care and staff is superb but the system of discharge needs to be more proactive when patients are ready and able to go home.