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"Ward 18, 19a, OPD 4 Plastics"

About: St John's Hospital / General Medicine St John's Hospital / Head and Neck

(as a relative),

My Dad required an operation to remove a lump under is axilla.   He was admitted to ward 19a pre and post surgery.   The nursing and medical care he received was excellent.   This took place during the C19 pandemic,   at the end of the 2nd wave,   the fact that NHS Lothian were still able to provide this level of healthcare during this very challenging time is exemplary.  

Obviously as a family we were not allowed to visit my dad for the duration of his inpatient admission (approx. 3 weeks).   As the agreed representative for the family, I would call the ward every day to get an update on his care and treatment.     Each time the designated nurse for my dad that day, took the time to take my call, answer my question and provide the information so that I could reassure my dad what was happening  ( he got a bit mixed up sometimes) and importantly reassure my mum at home.  

Unfortunately he developed a wound infection and so this delayed his discharge.   He was transferred to Ward 18 toward the end of his stay and then discharged, with a follow up appointment at OPD 4, Plastics out patients. He was seen by Emma, the Plastics nurse and she allowed me to come into his appointment so I could keep up to date with his recovery.   She was so helpful and just lovely, reassuring my dad and myself.   He had however, to be readmitted to ward 18 at that appointment as the infection was increasing again.   Again, the care he received there was excellent, at his point of discharge a few days later,   the discharge plan was explained to me and he left with a good follow up plan in place.  

He is now back at home with a wound that is improving every day.   On behalf of my family I would like to express our thanks for taking such good care of my dad  at a time when we were not able to  visit   him.    

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Responses

Response from Agnes Ritchie, Associate Nurse Director, St. John's Hospital & Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, NHS Lothian 3 years ago
Agnes Ritchie
Associate Nurse Director, St. John's Hospital & Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion,
NHS Lothian
Submitted on 25/03/2021 at 15:56
Published on Care Opinion at 15:56


Dear marchyw35 thank you very much for taking the time to contact us and for your very kind words re the care your dad received whilst a patient in wards 18 and 19a and then care as an out patient at OPD4. I will make sure that your kind words are shared with the teams. I glad to hear that your dad is home and that he is continuing to improve.

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Update posted by marchyw35 (a relative)

Thankyou for your reply. Yes, please share with the teams involved. I am acutely aware that healthcare stories often focus on what went wrong. So, it’s good to be able to recognise when things go well.

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