"Mixed experience at endoscopy"

Arrived in endoscopy with my partner after horrendous parking problems.

Seen by lovely nurse, kind and compassionate.

Then another nurse attempted a cannula insertion, 3 failed attempts re-using the same cannula.

Advised it would need to be inserted by a doctor.

Waited 40 minutes, no one came.

Could hear the staff talking about weddings and make up while we sat worried and scared in a room.  Someone could have spent time with us, offering reassurance or support with what we knew was going to be a poor diagnosis.

Eventually cannula inserted by another nurse, who didn't speak to us.

Spoken to by consultant, prior to procedure, extremely kind and caring and we felt very reassured and in excellent hands.

Waited while my partner had his endoscopy.

Staff came and asked me for his insurance details. I said that I didn't have them but would supply them when he was awake. I was then told that he was awake and sitting up. I said he couldn't be as he had only just gone in for the procedure. When the staff member went to check and sure enough came back to tell me he wasn't awake.

After the procedure the consultant returned to talk to us and dealt with us in very sensitive manner, though bad news, he was amazing.

Then a lovely nurse came to go through the discharge information with us. In the middle of this, the staff member returned asking once again for insurance details that I had already assured her I would provide before we left the department. I felt this was insensitive and uncaring, interrupting the conversation we were having with the nurse. Felt let down and just wanted to get out and go home. The staff member showed no compassion at what was a really difficult time. All they seemed to want were details for their form filling that I had already promised to supply on our way home.