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My dad was made to feel he should just get on with it

Posted By aranx44

"My dad was made to feel he should just get on with it"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Urology (Bladder and Urinary problems) Community Services in Grampian

(as a staff member),

My Dad was seen by urology at the beginning of the year where it was decided he should self catheterize due to issues emptying his bladder.   My dad went alone to this appointment and came away feeling he had no option in starting this even though he didn't feel he needed help emptying his bladder.   He went home with instructions and equipment and managed to successfully empty his bladder using this method.   However very quickly this resulted in multiple UTI's requiring treatment and bleeding became the norm.  

When he reached out for help from the urology nurses they told him to continue and it was only blood and 'older men than him can do it.   He was generally made to feel he had to get on with it.  

Since then my dad has had such a severe UTI he was admitted to AMIA and then the infection unit.   During this stay he developed septic arthritis which required IV antibiotics and surgery to his knee.   My dad has never fully recovered from this and we feel this could have been avoided.  

I myself work with patients in the NHS and I feel the way he was treated was very poor.   If a patient reaches out for help they should never be made to feel they should just get on with something.   My dad was told this option was to keep him out of hospital when in reality he has never needed more hospital care in his life.   Thankfully he is no longer having to self catheterize and has no more issues.  

I feel the staff should be made aware that the way they speak to people can make a huge impact, I feel that if perhaps he had spoken up he may have been given other options, but he felt he had to do as he was advised.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 2 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 05/08/2021 at 16:50
Published on Care Opinion at 16:50

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear aranx44,

Firstly, I'm sorry there has been such a delay in getting back to you, I am trying to track down the most appropriate person in the urology team to respond to you, but in the meantime I don't want you to feel completely ignored.

Reading your story makes me feel sad, it must have been really upsetting, not only for your dad, but for you too. No-one should feel their voice isn't being heard and I'm sorry your dad had to experience this whilst visiting the urology clinic and also when he reached out to the urology nurses.

I'm glad to hear your dad has recovered and has had no more issues, however making sure your story reaches the right people is important to me and once I can assure you it has reached them I'll be back in touch.

Take care,

Kirsten

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Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 2 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 12/08/2021 at 08:54
Published on Care Opinion at 08:54

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear Aranx44,

Thank you for patiently waiting for me to get back to you.

The urology specialist nurses got in touch today and were sorry to hear about your dad’s experience, they understand the importance of listening to patient’s concerns are genuinely sorry your dad felt his were dismissed during his appointments with the team.

They are grateful you got in touch as it allows them to reflect on their practice and improve care for future patients.

With your dad’s permission, they would like to be able to look further into his case and find out why things happened the way they did. If you and your dad feel this would be helpful please contact me either by email: kirsten.dickson@nhs.scot or tel: 07885720267 and I will put you in touch with someone in the team.

Take care,

Kirsten

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