"F5- My stay, some concerns raised&some…"

Overall it was very pleasant (as far as can be on a hospital colorectal Ward) the staff were great, informative, polite and caring. There were a minority of staff who are most definitely in the wrong job but I’m glad to say this is a minority. I felt at a disadvantage not having a ileostomy (low density/fibre) menu to suit my diet and found the diet menus very limiting and then even more limiting to find ingredients I cannot eat in those foods as I had them as mealtimes. I did however discuss this wIth the catering manager and I’m hoping this could possibly now be sorted for future patients. Finding out too late that had been Barley In my food was quite probably the reason I had had a serious bout of pain one night and found what was probably a seed or Pulse in my stoma bag the following morning. This obviously could’ve been more serious and does need addressing for future patients as it is a medical issue and possibly resulted in an extended stay for me at the NHS’ expense. I found the ward on the whole to be far too warm and most patients reluctant to open their windows. One morning I witnessed three beds across from me: one the patient was been cleaned, the second the beds were being changed and I could see clouds of dust etc in the air, and a third bed the patient was sat there eating his breakfast.. All the windows other than mine were closed so you don’t need me to explain my concern here. It made me feel sick. I believe there needs to be a policy where all windows are opened at least once a day on all wards to clear the air. When I mentioned this to staff staff told me patients quite often complain that they’ve opened the windows. So I am complaining that the windows were never opened as I believe if all you hear is complaints from patients about the windows been open you are not seeing the true picture. Staff and patients around me and visitors all said the ward was very warm, stuffy and very smelly. In the interest of hygiene please can this be looked into. Quite probably first thing in the morning when people are in bed covered Up and already warm would be the best time or even a supply of blankets given to patients to put on their laps when the staff explain that the windows are going to be opened for the next 10 minutes and it is hospital policy. You may even find on a good day patience enjoy the fresh air and ask to leave the window open. Space round the beds it’s far too limited especially when there is hospital equipment connected and staff need to get in to help. Electrical sockets are too limited and cause a lot of frustration with the wires for both staff and patients. Maybe an option could be to have electrical extensions built into the beds so that necessary hospital equipment is plugged in there and travels with the bed and patient and takes away dangerous situations where cables are running round the bed where can severed when the bed is raised or lowered as I have witnessed. I personally had a CPAP machine for sleep apnoea.