"Nursing concerns during stay on gynae ward"

I have a great Gynae consultant. I received amazing service from him. My problem was with the gynae ward I stayed on in Nov 2008.

Following my operation (I specifically paid for a private room, as I thought it might be cleaner), my wound was soaking with fluid. My operation was a laparoscopic removal of adhesions and as I have had three previously I know the routine. I buzzed to have my dressing changed as it was soaking not only me, my PJs, but also the bedding. The first nurse told me it wasn’t necessary and walked away after a long time to even answer the bell. I am also under the impression that you should have some form of regular blood pressure/pulse checks... I had one post operatively and that was it. I was staying overnight too but was not checked.

When I finally had a dressing change, a student nurse ( third year) came in the door, but didn’t use the hand wash on the bottom of the bed or outside the door. She had no gloves and proceeded to come to change my dressing. My mum who was with me moved away from the chair at the bed, the student took my dressing off with no gloves, put the dirty dressing straight onto the chair then put the clean one over me. No use of gloves or anything. It would be very easy to say why didn’t I ask her to use gloves or a sterile tray, but I was post op and also in shock as to see the way she was doing it. She did not wash her hands after, or even use the hand wash and walked out.

I did complain when I came out of hospital but the ‘clinical specialist’ was not really that bothered. Though she did say that she would give some extra training to the ward.