"Pharmacy Protocol"

Anything else?

I have just had an Appendectomy procedure at Barnet (Wed 7th August 2013) and the Surgeon who saw me this morning at 8:40 advised me I could be discharged as soon as the Pharmacy had my drugs ready. About an hour later I was informed that the bed was required and I would have to either: a) wait in the waiting area till the drugs arrived on the ward (estimated time 5pm) or b) go home and come back at 5pm to collect my drugs. Whilst I completely understand that the bed was required by another patient, why can the hospital not give the discharged patient a prescription to fulfil at a local Pharmacy rather than have to either: a) hang around the hospital for 7 hours, only one day after an operation with all the infections that could be contracted, not to mention the discomfort or, b) involve other people in having to return to Barnet at someone's expense (fuel and more parking charges) not to mention numerous amounts of wasted fuel, (destroying the environment) to make a return journey. I have to state that my stay on Cedar Ward was exceptionally good, in that the care and attention was exemplary, however, my positive thoughts on my treatment and stay where overturned by a shambolic Pharmacy service and drug protocol. I am not surprised that the NHS is under constant attack if no one can see the effect the above has on people's perceptions. Unfortunately patients seemingly tell 1 person of their positive experience and 7 people of their negative ones. Richard Starkey Cedar Ward Bay 1 Bed 4