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Visitor's leg ulcer dressing

Story from nhs.uk

"Visitor's leg ulcer dressing"

About: Oakham Medical Practice

Phoned for nurse appointment in advance of arrival.

Told I would have to call in and register first.

Explained that I only arrived afternoon before appointment was needed and that may be too late to get an appointment.

Told they would fit me in somehow.

In over 10 years with open leg ulcers I have needed dressings changed at least 5 times per year when away from home and only once previously been asked to register first.

On that occasion an appointment was found but this time I was offered one appointment at a time I would be unable to attend and no alternative.

Attitude of receptionist both on the phone and at the counter was very much ‘take it or leave it’.

Called in at Minor Injuries Unit at neighbouring Rutland Memorial Hospital but they had no nurse in attendance.

Phoned Empingham Medical Centre (equidistance from where I was staying) but they had no appointment available.

Travelled home and attended pre-arranged nurse appointment 4 days later (interval included weekend), well beyond the time interval recommended and practised by my nurse.

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Responses

Response from Oakham Medical Practice 5 years ago
Oakham Medical Practice

Submitted on 10/10/2018 at 17:28
Published on nhs.uk at 18:05

Having fully investigated the circumstances, the Practice would like to advise that it is good practice to register a patient when they attend for immediate and necessary treatment, or as a new patient.

This is for several reasons but predominantly, it ensures that the treatment given is recorded and can be shared electronically with the patients usual GP.

Given the circumstances, we did offer an appointment for a wound dressing change that we agreed was important but the patient chose not to accept the appointment offered.

The reported attitude of the team at the Practice has also been investigated and there is no evidence of the conditions reported by the patient.

We will always see patients based on clinical need but in this case, the patient was reluctant to register with the Practice and was not prepared to accept the appointment offered.

In the future, we would recommend that the patient plans their visits around wound dressing changes or, makes contact with a the Practice near to the location they are visiting in good time, so the Practice can ensure continuity of care at a time that fits with clinical need.

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