"Overnight stay at Antrim Area Hospital"

I was taken to hospital by my wife to the emergency department re suspected appendicitis. I was seen very quickly by the triage nurse who sent me through to the observation unit at the back of the emergency department. This was a very busy space and I was put into a bed and a cannula was inserted. I was then left for a number of hours with no one speaking to me or letting me know what has happening. Eventually a Doctor came and examined me and left again. I was told very little, and what little I was told gave me the impression that I was staying in overnight with possible surgery in the morning. This concerned me somewhat. Due to the fact that I was not told anything and that I had no idea what was happening it caused me to become worried. I didn't know whether my wife would have to come and collect me or to bring me an overnight bag. This not only impacted my wife but also our neighbours as we had two young children at home who needed to be cared for should she be required to come to the hospital. 

One nurse, Arlene, spoke to me in a very kind and reassuring manner, she gave me pain killers and explained what I had to do to take them - (suppository), she answered a few questions and it was very nice to have a human touch and a feeling that she actually cared. I appreciate that the department was busy but the lack of communication from anyone was very frustrating. They didn't tell me anything, they didn't speak to me regarding what they thought was wrong with me or if I required surgery what it would be. I also had to have the COVID-19 test and again it felt rushed, impersonal and was not properly explained to me what this would involve. I asked the nurse what was happening with me and possible time frame and she said she would get back to me but never did. This was very frustrating. 

Eventually someone came and spoke to me around 6 hours after I arrived and asked me to go and sit in the corridor as they were moving me at some point to the Emergency Surgery Unit - one of the wards. They said I would be staying overnight - it was at this point I could ring my wife to bring me an overnight bag.

On arrival to the ward a nurse spoke to me and did some checks but then left me. I wasn't sure whether I was allowed to get in to bed, go to sleep etc but eventually I did anyway as I was so tired. I tried to sleep but it was all but impossible due to the noise. 

My pain medication was renewed and I was told that the consultant would be with me shortly. I was still under the impression that I was going for surgery in the morning but no one had explained any of this to me or what I was being kept in for. Eventually around 8am in the morning a Dr came who spoke to me and then physically examined me. A nurse was there due to the nature of the examination and I have to say that was the first time someone spoke to me and explained what was going on and what they were looking for. The nurse was very reassuring and I very much appreciated her approach.  The Doctor advised that I was to go for a cat scan and the result of that would determine whether or not I was to require surgery.

A nurse came at 11am to take me for my scan and she was lovely, She spoke to me, answered any questions I had and was a very pleasant change. I arrived for my scan and the nurse and Doctor there took time to explain to me what was happening and what they were looking for - they answered any questions I had and addressed any concerns that I had. 

I was then taken back to the ward and eventually a Doctor told me that my scan indicated a slight swelling of the appendix and blocking of the upper colon. That was it. They never said I could go home, or whether I was to stay. They told me I needed no surgery. I was then given something to eat and eventually I had to phone my wife to tell her what I was told. She was a nurse and advised me to speak directly to the consultant and to ask a number of questions re my care, results and reason for staying in the hospital. This eventually happened after a number of my questions were not answered by the staff on the ward.

I also felt that patient confidentiality was non existent on the ward. The doctors and nurses openly discussed each patient, their history, current medical issues and personal details at the nurses station in full hearing of everyone on the ward. There was one particular female patient who had a number of very personal medical issues that every other patient on the ward could hear - all male. 

Eventually I was advised that they wished to keep me in for observation but I felt that my wife could do that at home and after raising issues advised by my wife I was finally discharged after speaking again with the consultant who at this stage was a little more forthcoming with information.