"24 hours in and still non the wiser"

After visiting our gp at 4.50pm Friday with a complaint of being short of breath, my 9 week pregnant wife was sent to NGH to have a blood test and a check. After having a cannula fitted at 6pm and her bloods took, we were sent to MAC ward and sat waiting for 6 hours on chairs with no information about what was going off. After Askwith numerous times for any info we were told the blood sample may have been lost. At 1am we were told she had a bed and the blood had been found and registered. At 4.30am she was moved to Vickers ward awaiting a chest X-ray. At around 11am Saturday she was then told she was next for X-ray but shortly after told she was took off the list due to being pregnant?! We were then put back on the list! X-ray at 12.30pm, still no blood test results or explanation of any possible problems, with my wife’s anxiety rising (which could be the cause of the breathlessness). Then told we could be 4hours for results, report written and then see a doctor so told to go for a walk and some food. Had a call to say doctor is on ward so come back. Returned back to be told doctor had shrugged shoulders at ward nurse and walked away. Now coming up to being in 24hours without being told one ounce of information about possible results, plans, outcomes. We have a 10 month daughter at home with her grandparents and we have absolutely no idea when we will be seen, discharged etc.

Big failings noticed throughout the process...

Walk in patients in MAC have their own tablets, medication and self medicate. This must not be asked as the nurses do rounds for meds and are throwing them in bin after dispensing and realising after the patients have already had their meds. Admission nurse too 3 patients bloods after fitting cannula without washing hands once between each patient. Biggest stir between staff was who hadn’t put their money in for the take away delivery order.

My wife works for NHS but it’s easy to see how it’s not functioning properly. Give me an income tax relief and I’d much rather have a private service. Totally disappointed. My wife actually said it makes you think twice about going to the doctors as it has been nothing but a farce from walking through the front doors of the Northern.