"Bad care experience turned out exceptional"

I called my GP at 8am with tummy pain and fevers they told me to go to A&E at Wishaw as they didn't have enough space to see me. 

I arrived at the A&E and they told me to wait to be seen it was a Monday so knew it would be busy I went and sat down 4 hours 15 minutes past, I hadn't seen a single person the area was busy but no one was moving.

I asked the receptionist if they had any idea as I was sore and required medication I was told to sit down and wait my turn, they would speak to the nurse. Well over a hour later I heard a nurse, asking where I was and out from the swing doors appeared a rude and abrupt nurse calling my name. I was taken into a small room where the nurse stated that they were busy and that they have emergencies. They then said they would call another unit to see if they will take me as I was so desperate to be seen. They called someone and stated they had taken basic observations and I was stable. Not once had they taken any kind of observations. On finishing their call they scribbled notes on my file and said that a porter would be called and that I was going to ambulatory care . I would get pain relief there. 

A few moments later a porter and chair came in and porter Mark introduced himself and said he was taking me to another unit, he was very polite and chatted away taking my mind of the pain. On the way we went into x ray, he said he was taking me to surgical ambulatory care and the staff were lovely and would get me seen very quickly. 

On arrival to this area, I was greeted by a very happy face, Siobhan I think she was an nursing assistant. Siobhan was such a great person chatting away explained everything, why they need bloods and a rough time of them coming back. She made me feel at very much ease. I had more information in 2 minutes than I had in the 6 hours I had been in the other department.

Following from her was Iona, she introduced herself as the staff nurse on the unit today, and could she do some paperwork and observations.  Iona took my observations but stated my temperature was very high and some other observations were not what they would have wanted them to be. So she asked if she could take more bloods for cultures I think and if she could put a needle in my arm for intravenous fluids and pain relief. She then explained her colleague Amanda the advanced nurse would be coming in behind her to examine me and make a treatment plan. 

Amanda arrived she was very efficient and asked about the past few days. I was then taken for a CT scan where I found out from Dr Maniif I had a perforated appendix and I was very sick.  I was then started quickly on intravenous fluids and antibiotics. I was giving painkillers also. Prepared for theatre and asked to stay fasted, they got me all changed and gave me a blanket to try sleep.

They were in and out all the time doing fluids or checking me, I was overwhelmed by their care and compassion. I had been in SACU I think they called it for less then 2 hours and all this had been done, the area was very busy they had opened a waiting area to sit patients in as they were helping A&E due to the high levels of patients.

Not once did any of the staff complain about us buzzing or anything, nothing was a bother to them. I chatted with a lady across who's in SACU twice a week and had nothing but goodness to say about them. They are true gems. 

On that note I would like I highlight when going through the A&E  department I saw staff standing chatting, on arrival to SACU there was 3.... yes 3 staff members 👏 they worked their absolute best in this busy situation.  They and the unit is an absolute credit to Wishaw and more efficient than your other unit. Amanda, Iona, Siobhan and Maniif you're a credit to our NHS.

I was then taken theatre and transferred to ward 18 afterwards, where the care again was not quite up to standard they were not very sympathetic and appeared like they had no time for us. The day shift completely changed and they were outstanding, nothing was a bother they were fantastic, a nurse and a student there were both were fabulous.  

I was then moved again I understand beds are short to ward 17 and I will never be back in this ward again. I feel it's very unsafe and the atmosphere between the staff I felt could be cut with a knife, a horrible environment to be in and I would hate to be there again.

Again I was moved this time to short stay, I wasn't looking forward to the move but I was looked after by Ashaa, she was a staff nurse and Charlotte the nurse in charge, both were amazing letting my kids and husband into visit as I was very emotional. 

I feel there is a learning opportunity from my journey in Wishaw and I truly believe the most unstaffed area showed the most team work and organisation.

I hope if I ever return these girls are going to be my angels again.