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"Upset by the nurse's attitude"

About: NHS 24 / NHS 24 (111 service)

(as a carer),

I called NHS24 on the 111 number as my terminally ill mum who has MND had been suffering from Diarrhea over the past couple of days.  She is peg fed as she can’t speak or eat as her swallowing is affected due to MND.  She is probably about 6 stone in weight & with the Diarrhea makes it harder for her to get back to normal.  Now on Tuesday she was given antibiotics to be done through her peg due to a swelling beside her tube.  This we felt may be the reason that she was having Diarrhea but wanted to see if there was anything else that could be done to help her as her feed was reduced due to her not having it due to the Diarrhea.  

Chatting to NHS24 or 111 in Scotland we waited god nearly 20 mins to speak to somebody.  We eventually did & went through all the general questions & then answered questions about where she has been, any COVID symptoms, then we were told we would be put through to a clinical nurse.  Again went over the situation & this is where it went wrong...after a few questions & advising that mum was week due to not having her feed & with the Diarrhea what could be done to which the clinical nurse said it’s only been 2 days that your mum has had Diarrhea & not everyday.  As a daughter if a terminally ill mum who has no control off her mobility & now her bowels I was so angry at that statement.  I explained that mum has had little or no feed the past few days which made them then say I will get a doctor to call you.  That staff member should have chosen their words & maybe thought of my mum & how distressing her having Diarrhea is instead of making out we did not need to call & just deal with the antibiotics giving my mum Diarrhea to run its course!  After that we waited for the GP to call who was lovely & reassuring to myself & prescribed antibiotic cream do not to be put into her system as medicine was. 

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Responses

Response from Shona Lawrence, Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 3 years ago
Shona Lawrence
Clinical Governance Lead, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24
Submitted on 22/09/2020 at 16:52
Published on Care Opinion at 16:52


picture of Shona Lawrence

Dear auds1234

Thank you for sharing your experience on Care Opinion. I am very sorry to learn of your mother's situation. I can only imagine how difficult this must have been for you and your family. I am pleased the GP was able to assist your mum by prescribing an antibiotic cream.

Can I please ask that you make contact with me at Patient.Experience@nhs24.sot.nhs.uk and provide me with your phone number as I am keen to discuss your mum's care and arrange a review of the your calls to 111.

I see you had to wait some time to access the service. I fully appreciate that waiting for a call to be answered, especially when you have concerns for a loved one, can add additional stress to an already worrying situation. Our service has been particularly busy recently, however I understand, waiting an excessive time is a poor experience. I am sorry for this.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With kind regards

Shona

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