My 87 year old father was sent up by his GP with cardiac symptoms. He was seen in the clinical area but returned to the main reception were he sat for a total of 13 hours. The seats were uncomfortable. There was no information regarding food . He hadn’t eaten until I arrived after 8 hours. The single toilet was soiled with 3 different types of bodily fluids. This presented an infection prevention control and safety issue. This happened twice. Although the domestic services were called twice, there were significant periods in between. My father who has mobility issues was advised to leave the reception area, take a lift up 2 levels , follow an atrium, descend a level to use alternative toilets. He couldn’t use the lift or wait that long. He used the soiled toilet. By this stage some of the wet liquid on the floor had dried in but I was afraid he would slip and fall.
Some suggestions:
Domestic services available immediately in ED.
More than one toilet
More comfortable chairs - with arms- the number of elderly patients struggling to get up was of concern.
Enquiring of patients in reception if they are accompanied and how to get food
Positive feedback for the nursing and medical staff though. Fully acknowledging service pressures on ED.
"Mater Emergency Department"
About: Mater Hospital / Accident & Emergency Mater Hospital Accident & Emergency BT14 6AB
Posted by Spiersy (as ),
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