"My son was admitted after an RTA. ..."

What I liked

My son was admitted after an RTA. He was told there was no fracture to his arm, all though the bone was CLEARLY protruding & my son was in extreme pain, his diagnosis I questioned SEVERAL times & he was told to" stop being a baby" & sent home. By the time we got him home (after great difficulty & pain to him) there was a message on the answer phone stating to contact the hospital as he needed to go back & have an operation!! I rang back & was told no beds available & to ring back in the morning. He was admitted the next morning. The problems that were encountered after that are far too numerous to mention in detail but to state them briefly: STAFF not relaying or documenting IMPORTANT information, not listening to my son with regard to his care or treatment, being administered medication that I had informed them SEVERAL times he did not react well to i.e. Making him aggressive and abusive, the drain in his arm being put in unsuitable & ridiculous position(medical staff comments) leading to further problems, dressings being used, after being informed he was allergic to them. Hoop & loop sling being fitted incorrectly THREE times after physio, my son & I had told them correct way. Staffs attitude was APPAULING, everything was an effort, staff morale very low, often complaining re working conditions and changes of shifts & communication between staffs non existent. I could go on but feel it is fruitless. I work in the caring profession & OFTEN hear of MUCH WORSE situations. Among outside agencies when they hear of such things the only comment you regularly hear is "WELL THATS THE MEDWAY, WHAT ELSE DO YOU EXPECT!!"

It is unfortunately the level of care which is now EXPECTED when admitted to your Hospital.

On a positive note however, my sons after care at the fracture clinic has been EXCELLENT. The staffs are friendly, helpful and are only too pleased to answer any questions you may have & nothing is too much trouble. Drs, Nurses and clerical workers alike behave professionally and in a manner that you would HOPE to receive in other departments of the hospital.