"Appendicectomy - A variable journey of care"

Working within the health service I Always expect to treat people how would like to be treated myself. My journey was variable.

Working through the night, sudden onset of pain to the abdomen, finished my run of shifts decided to attend the GP. Directed to the local ED, swiftly taken to the acute receiving surgical ward where the staff were attentive clear and attended to the pain I was in. Surgery was completed to the delight of the surgeons whom had decided they had made the correct diagnosis as they stated I was one of the few who was not text-book as they called it.   The staff were fantastic in the ward. Despite the pain and having surgery I still had a smile.

I was advised I was to be moved from 4A to 4B. The first encounter was an auxiliary whom I said hello to. They asked if I had an evening meal, I said it would be on 4A's trolley would they mind retrieving it. The auxiliary said I wasn't in 4A, now that I was in 4B that's is all there is take or leave it. I don't eat red meat which was thrown on to the bedside trolley. I declined and did not have anything to eat the rest of the evening.

The shift changed, the night nurse arrived instead of introducing themselves the first statement was, 'where do you work' they then asked what pain relief I would like, when I stated two tablets they questioned it, saying I didn't look like I was in pain, and gave me them reluctantly.

That evening and through the night the staff were loud,   repeatedly introduced themselves by asking where I worked in the NHS and not asking my name or telling me theirs. I felt vulnerable, in pain after full abdominal surgery, I don't like a fuss, I had no appetite, I was stressed, there was a negative atmosphere, I felt like an inconvenience,   I declined to ask for anything and used my phone to ask colleagues where I worked to bring me items to drink and eat, which was upsetting the staff on the ward as I had colleague visitors out with visiting times with permission,   as well as family at the normal visiting hours.

Overnight I had the curtains pulled around the bed, in the morning as I was getting changed,   a member of staff  pulled the curtains open, I said would you mind. The staff member said the nurse wants to see everyone from outside the room, I replied I am getting changed and if they wan to see me they can come to the bedside. This was not well received and was the first time I felt strong enough to reply defending my own rights to privacy.  

I was preparing to leave, to sign myself out due the poor level of care.   I would have left and gone home through the night, but with no car or house keys this proved to be difficult. This was also due to the staff putting the large room lights on, and on more than one occasion, talking about what they had to eat, their next holiday etc loudly with no thought for the care or attention for the patients within the room or even the time of night, where patients are meant to rest.

I had asked the staff prior to leaving if I could use the phone to contact the porters to try and obtain jump leads for my car as it wasn't starting, this became a drama for the staff, I returned to the bedside contacted my husband and the porters from my own phone where the chaps were fantastic in assisting with a set of leads to assist my car to start.

I left the ward with a bitter taste of the poor experience received, I hope I do not have to use the services in the future as this may make a very difficult decision for both myself and the staff involved. Attitude,   behaviour and a poor culture make a difference to a patient their experience, the speed of recovery and how they relate their health and wellbeing to their current treatment.