This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Thanks for my dad's care but please get more porters

Posted By Thankful son

"Thanks for my dad's care but please get more porters"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Accident & Emergency Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Xrays and Scans

(as a relative),

My elderly dad is what the staff refer to as a frequent flyer....because he keeps having falls. On each of the last four occasions we have been in the emergency department my Dad has been put in a cubicle in front of the nursing station...which is also right beside where the porters are stationed for moving patients to wards.

I would just like to say that I have only ever seen a maximum of four porters on duty regardless of the time of day we have been in and sometimes that drops down because they too are due breaks. Last Saturday when we were in I overheard one of them phoning to ask for cover so they could get their breaks organised..... no one appeared and they had to leave themselves understaffed.

I suppose the point I am trying to get across is that if the Western the Vicky the Southern Mansion house Unit AND yorkhill have all merged to the same site does it not beggar belief that the powers that be have decided that only 4 men are required to do the job that prior to the merge would have required a team on each site.....I reckon it must have been at the very least ten porters to cover all the different sites?

I understand the NHS is under intense pressure financially but surely all those staff are still employed? I don't envy those guys pushing patients on those trolleys...I offered to help as they were so busy but the porter declined saying it wasn't necessary but if I could walk upfront so I could let him know if someone was coming round corners....I thought trolleys required two porters .... at least they always did in the Vicky! 

Other than that I cannot fault the nursing and portering staff in the department or the team in xray either for their care and professionalism especially David one of the charge nurses who seems to live there. I'm glad to say my Dad is making a good recovery. Thanks again for the fantastic care he receives but get the porter situation sorted please.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 6 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 19/06/2017 at 09:56
Published on Care Opinion at 12:21

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Thankful son

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback about your Dad’s experience.

I am pleased to read about the ‘fantastic care’ that your Dad received and I will make sure that we share your post with the staff.

I will share your post with my colleagues in Facilities to respond to your concerns regarding the lack of porters.

I am glad that your Dad is making a good recovery and please pass on my best wishes.

Kind Regards

Nicole

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 6 years ago
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 29/06/2017 at 15:48
Published on Care Opinion at 15:55

picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Thankful Son,

Many thanks for taking the time to post your experience on the Care Opinion website, and let me reiterate Nicole's comment as I also hope your Dad is making a full recovery since his last fall. In total, across the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus, there are 218 WTE (whole time equivalent) Porters which equates to 218 x 37.5hrs of Portering activity. Our Portering headcount (number of staff) is higher than this, but not all Porters work full time.

We typically have four Porters on shift within ED, although this can be three in the mornings when the activity tends to be less. There are other distinct teams of Portering staff including within Imaging, in the Discharge Lounge, and other neighbouring or adjacent areas to ED, in addition to the large group of 'Pool' Porters, that can be realigned to support services as and when the demand dictates. Activity in areas is monitored closely by Supervisory staff, and also a Facilities Duty Manager who is present 24/7. If there are any pressures in the system, staff are realigned, or additional groups of staff are asked to support urgent patient transfer activity.

Cover is generally provided for when staff go on their breaks, however I am not going to lie and say that this happens 100% of the time, as it doesn’t. Cover will be provided if there is staff available. If activity is above the norm, or Porters are responding/assisting with an emergency on the campus, cover may not be provided. Staff do always get there breaks, however it is acknowledged that they may not be at the same time every day.

It is optimum to have two Porters moving every trolley. However, judgement calls are made by the Porters dependant on the location that the patient is travelling to, and the length of the journey. Many of the doors within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are on 'hold open' devices linked to the fire alarm, or auto doors, and therefore for small journeys a second Porter is not required. Additionally, the trolleys that are used have a steer mechanism present. This may not have been the case at the Victoria Infirmary.

Best wishes

Mandy Machell - Deputy Site Facilities Manager - Business

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k