"Mixed bag of treatment"

In June 2022 I developed a cellulitis on my right eye, was referred to opthalmology O/P at FCH. The staff here were amazing,could not fault any of them. Because of the swelling in my eye I was getting really bad headaches and sensitive to light so they put me in a dark area until I was to be seen.

I was then sent to CAU, this is unfortunately where things changed.  An amazing student nurse started my paperwork and did baseline obs etc. I then went to the chairs.  I was informed I would be staying in overnight and hours later a bed was brought into the seated area. The medical staff finally came to review me between 1-2:00 am, more than 6 hours after I arrived. 

The following day we had a plan in place but I was suffering a lot with pain. I asked an amazing NA for analgesia and 2 hours later still nothing. By this point I suffered an anxiety attack because of the pain and another patient helped me through it.

There was zero communication from staff to say how long we would be waiting for a review. The fact I had to wait 2 hours for analgesia is not good enough. 

Fortunately I was suitable to attend OPAT the following day for IVAB therapy. 

I explained to the staff that I suffered anxiety and depression, I also advised them that I suffered PTSD from a hospital admission, but my mental health status obviously wasn't important. 

Communication needs to improve to patients. Having to ask multiple times for pain meds is not acceptable. 

I get the place is busy but this should never impact on patient care. I know the difficulties but I truly felt that on this admission I was forgotten about.