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Care Opinion

Admission during the Covid-19 period

Posted By kjd

"Admission during the Covid-19 period"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Cancer Services (Medical Oncology) Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Emergency Medicine

(as a relative),

I cannot fault the care that is give to my husband, last year he was in the ARI for cancer treatment for 3 months and received fantastic care and follow up. Today he has had to be admitted again this time as an emergency. He is disorientated and does not know where he is, where he lives etc. He was assessed in A and E and treated with great care, put on fluids and antibiotics.

This I cannot fault. He was then transferred to ward 110, I phone to see how he is and for an update to be told that the nurse looking after him would come to the phone. I am put on hold. I get a ringing tone which goes on for 8/9 mins and then cut off. I phone back and the phones rings for 5mins no answer, then I ring again this time it rings for 6mins the again I phone and it rings for another 5/6 mins. Finally on ringing again I get a brief answer I explain whats happened and get told we in middle of handover call again in around a half hour or so.

I know nurses are very busy and they do a great job especially now, but now is a very worry time for next of kin when their loved one is admitted and they are alone and you cannot be with them. All I need to know is that he is settled and ok. Maybe instead of that brief answer It may have been nice to say sorry we in hand over I know you worried I will get his nurse to call you afterwards. It took so long to get through to get the response I did. Maybe I am over sensitive but he is under shielding, over 70, diabetic and has cancer. I am so worried about him and need to be with him and can't.  

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Responses

Response from Yvonne Wright, Chief Nurse, Clinical Support Services Division, NHS Grampian 3 years ago
Yvonne Wright
Chief Nurse, Clinical Support Services Division,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 11/06/2020 at 13:28
Published on Care Opinion at 13:28

Dear kjd

I was extremely saddened to read your post on care opinion today and can only apologise for your experience of trying to get information about your husband at such a worrying time for you both.

I have spoken to the nurse manager responsible for the area and she would really like to discuss your experience and see how we can help you to make contact with the ward to assure you he is being well cared for during this admission

Please can you e mail the nurse manager Lisa Forbes on: lisa.forbes@nhs.net

Please accept our sincere apologies and hope your husband is comfortable and improving.

Yvonne Wright

Chief Nurse

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by kjd (a relative)

Thank you for your response to my experience and I appreciate that you wish to try to make it a better experience. my husband has now moved to a different ward 209, though he is under the care of ENT.

I am able to get through to this ward easier but as yet even though I have requested it I am yet to speak with a Dr, my husband is it seems more settled and I am hoping that he will be moved to a private room shortly as he is meant to be shielded.

It is just so difficult not being able to be with him, as he only settles when I am there with. We have always spent all our time together and even worked together and we never get fed up with one another company. People think we odd.

It would be good (wishfull thinking)if I could go to the hospital and just stay with him until he got discharged, it would make it all so easier for him. I know its difficult for the staff operating under these circumstances and its hard on us at home and most importantly it is so difficult for the patient being isolated from their loved ones.

Thank you for your support but as he has moved,I don't know. Maybe somehow hospital policy could look at getting at least one relative in to be with a patient. I would happily sleep in a chair as would so many, though I know thats not practical.

Response from Yvonne Wright, Chief Nurse, Clinical Support Services Division, NHS Grampian 3 years ago
Yvonne Wright
Chief Nurse, Clinical Support Services Division,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 11/06/2020 at 16:22
Published on Care Opinion at 16:22

Dear kgd

I am really pleased to hear that you are finding communication easier since your husband's transfer to ward 209. I appreciate that it is extremely hard for families and patients who are unable to visit their loved ones whilst in hospital during this pandemic.

The visiting policy meantime is restrictive and unfortunately it has to be, to ensure that we keep patients, particularly shielded patients protected and as safe as possible when they are immunosuppressed. I know that you would prefer to see your husband face to face and can only apologise that we are unable to facilitate this meantime due to local and national guidance around hospital visiting

We are encouraging virtual visiting via patients own devices or phones and Ipads are available on the wards. If you would like to arrange a virtual visiting slot, please telephone the ward and ask the nurse in charge if they could arrange this for you.

Thanks again for your reply and do hope communication continues to be improved

Kindest Regards

Yvonne

Yvonne Wright

Chief Nurse

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by kjd (a relative)

Thank you for your response, I totally understand and agree with the policy to protect patients, especially those like my husband who are shielded.

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