In general a very good experience at the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, Fife. I have previously had the procedure done elsewhere a few years ago, but overall the professionalism and especially pain management, using entonox (inhale), at Queen Margaret was better than previously experienced elsewhere.
Because my discomfort was minimal, I felt this aided the consultant carrying out the procedure in that they were able to take their time. (On previous occasion, my pain and discomfort was such that I'd felt the consultant was maybe feeling a bit hurried because of this). Staff care, compassion and communication was excellent.
One quite important negative: this was a referral from another health board. On documentation, my name was spelt incorrectly and my address was wrong. I pointed this out to staff, and nurse said they would go and print off other stickers. However, when I got home with my Colonoscopy report, I discovered that not only my name and address was wrong, but that of my GP and GP's practice was incorrect. Given that the consultant said that a copy of the report was to be sent to my GP, this I find worrying.
On this occasion it seemed that there was nothing seriously wrong with me, but I feel that the importance of getting such things as address of patient and GP is not being given enough care and attention. A more vulnerable person, who might have had something seriously wrong with them, might not have noticed these errors, which could be significant.
I also felt that the brochure sent out by Forth Valley NHS regarding prep medication prior to colonoscopy could be improved. It stated that fasting should begin 'after lunch' - but no strict time was given for lunch. It then said that the 1st dose of 'moviprep' solution should be taken between 5pm-7pm. Given that I'd had to have a late lunch, which was quite substantial, finishing about 2:30pm, I feel that this affected the lack of success with the 'moviprep'.
In other words, nothing happened bowel-wise until about 6am. On a similar leaflet posted on the wall at Queen Margaret Hospital, it states 'nothing to be eaten after 1pm', and to take the moviprep solution beween 7pm-9pm. This timing, I believe, would have allowed my lunch to be digested, and for the first moviprep to have been effective.
"A very good experience"
About: NHS Forth Valley NHS Forth Valley Queen Margaret Hospital / General Surgery Queen Margaret Hospital General Surgery KY12 0SU
Posted by Faye (as ),
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