"Not the best experience"

Was admitted for removal and replacement of spinal metal work on a background of an unclassified bleeding disorder under the care of Mr Craig. Due to high blood loss, I was transferred to Surgical HDU after surgery.

When I was medically fit, I was supposed to be getting moved to the Orthopaedic Ward, but this never happened and I was discharged on day 12 of my stay.

THINGS I WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT!

I was moved to the furthest bed space from a toilet, having explained to staff after a very stressful episode with my bowels that I previously had bowel cancer and had an ongoing bowel problem. Having  had such a high blood loss, I felt the bed space I was in was very cold and I did mention it on a number of occasions to the staff.

When I was first able, a physio came to help me to walk with a zimmer safely, a number of days later he came back to then safely guide me to use a walking stick. I never saw a physio at any other time of my stay. I felt I should have had a regular visit from a physio to guide me and listen to any concerns I had ( I overheard a member of staff say: "You never get the physios from upstairs coming down here").  This did nothing for my confidence.

I'm a "young" 76 year old lady who spent her last 32 years of working life (til I was 65)  in a hospital in most specialties as an auxiliary nurse, so I do understand the pressures the staff are under.

I really feel the above mentioned problems would have been easier to deal with  and not caused me so much STRESS and ANGUISH if there had been more effort put into moving me to Orthopaedics to my bed which had been supposedly booked for me. 

I do understand about the logistics regarding bed spaces for patients, but it looks like there is a serious shortage of beds.

To summerise, unfortunately I have had a lot of stays in different hospitals, but this was not the BEST EXPERIENCE  I have had as a patient, as I felt being left in HDU. I  was in the way as I could have been in Orthopaedics receiving care equivalent to what I needed, and to be in an environment which was more suitable to me due to underlying health conditions.