"A recent admission"

I recently ended up in A&E with a problem. From the minute I was booked in by the receptionist then I was called in to the triage room the 2 staff nurses were fantastic, polite, caring quick to assess and had a very nice manner. From this I thought I was in the best place. However, from there on it really seemed to go downhill. While I understand that the NHS are struggling and really are pushed to the limit due to staff shortages and the number of patients being admitted on a daily basis and not enough beds to do so, I am well aware that the NHS are doing everything they possibly can.

I work for the NHS myself, I cant actually believe how I was treated and it really made me think. I am aware of all the problems and aware that the hospital is always at capacity, I am always quick to defend our NHS, but that is as an employee. I myself do not like to hear all the bad stories regarding the NHS because as I have said, we as employees all do our very best and there are some who go above and beyond.

This time I was on the other side. I was a patient and it was not a good experience at all. I was left on a trolley for approximately 9 hours no sheet, no blanket no buzzer and little communication and when there was communication between myself and staff what I was being told was different each time, which showed lack of communication. A staff nurse told me I had a suspected fracture and I was going for a scan, an A&E Doctor told me another thing, I was then told another, which left me pretty confused and worried to be honest. I was then told that I would be going to B23 the Orthopedic Ward then the wait began. 

The hussle and bussle of A&E reminded me of how lucky were are to have this service and how every employee was being pushed to the absolute limit and still here I am defending the service because I honestly do know what it is like.

A bed became available and I was eventually taken to B12 and put in a treatment room. I received more care and respect from the porter than I did from the staff in my short stay in this treatment room (I am aware these rooms are being used as there as lack of space in wards). The porter got me a blanket and a pillow, and kindly helped me on to the bed, what a kind caring individual.

I arrived in the ward at around 11pm, I was then briefly visited by a staff nurse who asked my weight and height and told me they would be back. I was in a great deal of pain I asked for pain relief and was still waiting at 12pm where I asked again. I was told doctor was prescribing and then they would be in (I know I am not the only patient in the ward, i totally understand) anyway I was still waiting on pain medication at around 2pm shortly after this the doctor came in. The nurses in the ward did not introduce themselves I was basically left lying in a treatment room with no buzzer, no fluids nothing and i think the standard of care was awful and still I say to myself I know how busy they are.

I did not want to write this but I had to as I was not treated with any respect or dignity. The only thing the staff were prompt with thereafter was the drug round, I had to get up and go and ask in the corridor if I required additional pain medication. There was little or no communication between myself and staff I was left lost for words to be honest. I spoke to a doctor approximately 5 mins before I left and I was so grateful to be going home. Very poor show from the staff in B12 no compassion and little care given I am honestly lost for words it was an awful experience. My visitors were also appalled that I was treated this way.