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Surgical Assessment Unit

Story from nhs.uk

"Surgical Assessment Unit"

About: Derriford Hospital / General surgery

Overworked staff, DANGEROUSLY junior led and I was told they did't have the resources to help me on a Friday arrival whilst having a gallbladder attack very very frightening to tell a patient that whilst in agony! No Ultrasound until Monday! I can't make the scan Monday as I have a much needed apointment with a Gall bladder Specialist/surgeon!!! I was told I would have to wait 2 weeks if I cancelled it. This is despite suspected Gallbladder infection and inflammation. I have discharged myself as no point in staying there.

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Responses

Response from Derriford Hospital 6 years ago
Derriford Hospital

Submitted on 07/11/2018 at 11:27
Published on nhs.uk at 12:06

Nicky Metcalfe, Matron for Surgery, has responded to say:

SAU was incredibly busy on Friday with an unprecedented amount of emergency admissions. The SAU was at its optimum staffing levels for both surgeons and nursing staff. Our senior doctors were busy operating on emergency patients so although it may have appeared that only junior staff were available I would like to reassure you that this was not the case. There is the ability to have an USS over the weekend however this is related to clinical priority. You must have been deemed safe to wait until after the weekend where you would need to attend SAU again for your scan. If you are due to see your gallbladder surgeon on Monday then I am confident that you will receive the most appropriate treatment plan at that point.

Best Wishes

Nicky Metcalfe

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