"I really would like to speak to a Matron"

Writing on behalf of my friend.

She was a patient on ward 26 at Doncaster Infirmary. She has been battling advanced ovarian cancer for the past two years and was admitted yesterday due to a infected PICC line and bowel obstruction. She was given a stat dose of IV antibiotic straight away quickly. When moved to ward 26 she then was prescribed more IV antibiotic but asked if they could instead run it through slower as it made her feel very unwell. 

Upon going to the toilet the next day my friend read the patient name label attached to the IV antibiotic. It stated her name was Precious! I feel this was a dig at her as she had asked the antibiotic to be run through slowly. This is the same woman who yesterday palliative nurse came to visit. 

When I rang the ward next day, I felt the ward sister was very dismissive. She said that my friend should have told her herself instead of getting me to ring and that Precious was the name of the staff member who could have given it to her. Bare in made there are two signatures on the patient label for the staff members who check and administer it and the patient name is where the first and last name of the patient should be. 

She said she would investigate it but I feel didn’t seem to bothered. From my perspective, the other alternative is that she had been given the wrong medication. 

I feel worried really to leave her on that ward with staff who, in my opinion think it’s ok to have a laugh about a young woman who is battling ovarian cancer. Surely this goes against the NMC code? 

Reported to the complaints service but they are also shut over the weekend. I really would like to speak to a Matron.