"Lacking in empathy and compassion"

I was admitted to Ward 7, Ninewells for an emergency Appendix removal.  I waited five hours to be seen by a Doctor and to be prescribed pain relief from the time of my admission.  I then waited a day, a full 24 hours for a CT scan to confirm my diagnosis then a further 20 hours for my surgery.  I felt that this was unacceptable as appendicitis is a potentially life threatening condition.  While on the ward someone was admitted into the bed next to me and was coughing.  They told the nurse that they hadn't had much of an appetite for the last five days due not tasting food.  I immediately drew my curtains around my bedspace as I suspected this person might have had covid.  At 1am they were moved into a side room with covid! I am a shielder and have kept myself safe for 2 years to come into hospital and be subjected to close contact.  Clearly the correct protocols were not being followed.  I was scared and the lady next to me was crying.  Really not good enough. 

I have to say that the nursing care was good although all but one nurse during my stay was agency.  Short staffed wards and no continuity of the patient journey.  The day after my surgery I had an agency nurse and I was very concerned about the level of care. My two venflons were ripped out and one of the sites bled profusely. Then I was left to attend to this myself. I asked to please get a domestic to clean the blood off of the floor and was told it was fine, that it would be cleaned once I was discharged!!   Then offered no post-op advice and when I asked to be provided me with info they absolutely did not know the correct answers.  I was told I could drive after 2 days and to return to work when I felt better.

All in all my stay in hospital was an interesting experience.  One I hope I do not need to repeat.  As I said the nursing care apart from the one nurse was good. I did feel like 'just another patient with abdominal pain'. I think the ward is so used to people like me with surgical emergencies that some staff are jaded and can be a bit lacking in empathy and compassion.