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"Hospital stay - ectopic pregnancy surgical removal"

About: Lincoln County Hospital / Gynaecology

(as the patient),

Dr Asif was brilliant. Very calming, understanding and empathetic, his wife had gone through something similar and it showed. 

The nature of my stay was incredibly traumatic and I was having a panic attack about the general anaesthetic. I am aware this is silly to some people, but to me it is a real fear. When I told a nurse this, (one that hadn’t cared for me that night but had come in to take my obs and asked how I was feeling) they laughed and told me I sounded like their mum. This didn’t help me at all and I felt humiliated as well as all the other emotions of that day.

I was also told my partner could not come wait with me before the operation (this decision was thankfully reversed by the day staff). I repeatedly asked for something to help calm me down and was told no. Without consulting a doctor, just a flat refusal no. Which in turn led me to have a full panic attack right before surgery. It’s not something I have experienced before but I assume the fear of the GA plus the trauma of what we were going through came to a head. Thankfully once in the theatre the anaesthetist did give me something to calm me down and couldn’t understand why I had been refused considering how I had been throughout the day. 

The nurse that cared for me after returning from surgery was fantastic. She was efficient, made sure my pain medication was given regularly and truly was the best person to have looking after me that night. 

By the day staff, I was told my partner could not come back after the surgery as the “need for family support was not required after surgery” despite having just had our baby surgically removed.

I am a nurse myself and it’s opened my eyes to being an inpatient. 

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Responses

Response from Michelle Caldwell, Ward Sister, Gynaecology, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS TrustPilgrim Hospital, Boston 2 years ago
Michelle Caldwell
Ward Sister, Gynaecology,
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS TrustPilgrim Hospital, Boston
Submitted on 03/06/2021 at 12:52
Published on Care Opinion at 15:54


Dear Hlw, I am so sorry to read your comments about your experience as an in-patient within our service and would like to offer you the opportunity talk to myself if you feel able to discuss your care whilst in hospital in more detail. I am the Ward Sister of Ward 1B and my email is michelle.caldwell@ulh.nhs.uk’

With thanks

Michelle Caldwell

Ward Sister 1B Women’s Health

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Response from Lisa Marshall, Interim Sister, Gynaecology, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2 years ago
Lisa Marshall
Interim Sister, Gynaecology,
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Submitted on 03/06/2021 at 14:18
Published on Care Opinion at 15:54


Dear Hlw

Thank you so much for providing your feedback, it is extremely valuable for us to understand how we can improve our services. I will pass on your praise to Dr Asif and the nurse caring for you post operatively.

I am really sorry that your partner was not able to stay at all times, prior to Covid we would always ensure that patients were able to have their partners with them at all times however during Covid as a Trust we reduced access for visiting in order to keep both patients and staff safe, this however should have been considered on an individual need basis. I am sorry that this was not the case for yourself. I am also extremely sorry that you were not supported when having a panic attack, this is below our expected standards, I would have expected the nursing staff to have supported you to alleviate your anxieties and the request for medication to reduce your anxieties should have been considered and discussed with the medical staff. I am sorry that this was not the case.

I will share your case and discuss with the team at the team meeting to ensure that improvements are made in order to support all of our patients especially at such a difficult time during pregnancy loss. Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family.

Kindest regards

Lisa Marshall

Matron Womens' Health Management

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