Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Poor patient care

Posted By N-ckym

"Poor patient care"

About: University Hospital Ayr / Clinical Radiology (Diagnostic Radiology) University Hospital Ayr / Radiotherapy

(as a relative),

My terminally ill father attended for a ct scan tonight which was organised by his consultant. He has poor mobility but arrived promptly. Like a good percentage of oncology patients my father does not have great access when requiring a cannula or for bloods. This information is well known throughout all my dad’s multidisciplinary team.

My dad was in a total of ten minutes, as I was waiting for him. He came out very breathless and disappointed and was told the staff were unable to gain vein access and he would have to come back. They tried once in the back of his hand. I realise that after 5:00pm staff are tired etc. but to try and gain access once and never try in his arms and then say we’ll send another appt out and let him walk out himself. He was  so breathless by the time he got to me - I feel it is is appalling care.

These scans create  great anxiety and worry in my dad, they are also incredibly important and to have him leave in the state he did was an utter disgrace. 

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Pamela Gibson, Patient Experience Facilitator, Nursing, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 2 years ago
Pamela Gibson
Patient Experience Facilitator, Nursing,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Monitor stories and provide administration for NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Submitted on 26/10/2022 at 17:14
Published on Care Opinion at 17:14

picture of Pamela Gibson

Dear N-ckym

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to share your dad’s recent experience whilst attending for CT scan at Ayr Hospital.

I am so very sorry to read of the situation that you describe and would like to apologise to you and your dad as this is not the person-centered care that we strive to provide.

I have sought feedback on your dad’s experience from the Medical Imaging Department and they have advised that they often find that oncology patients who attend for multiple CT scans and treatments have veins which are difficult to access. Sometimes the doctor requesting the scan will identify this on the CT request form and arrangements can be made for these patients to come in to be cannulated on the Oncology Day Ward prior to having their scan carried out in the Department. However if this is not indicated on the referral form the radiologists are not aware of any potential access difficulties until the patient arrives in the Department.

In your dad’s case, it sounds as though the Radiographer assessed the veins further up your dad’s arm to be unsuitable before unsuccessfully attempting to insert a cannula on your dad’s hand.

Please be assured that the radiography staff are aware of how important such scans are in treatment pathways and it is not a decision that is taken lightly to send a patient away without a scan.

Kind Regards

Pamela

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k