"Appalling delays & communication"

My Mum's operation to her wrist was delayed 5 times. A heart problem was detected which meant that the surgery was not carried out in the first week.

On the Monday of the second week my Mum was asked to come in for 7.30am. By 12pm she had not gone in for her operation but no one had told her why. By 2pm the method of sedation had changed so she had been moved to another list, without being told. At 4pm we asked again but no one had any information. At 5pm she was told that she would not be operated on that day but if she stayed overnight they would most likely operate first thing. She had spent 23 hours nil by mouth so did not feel great.

On the Tuesday she was told she would be operated on at 3pm. Again, at 5pm she was told they had run out of time! She had been nil by mouth all day & despite saying she felt dehydrated was not even offered to go on a drip.

She stayed in overnight & the next morning we had a call from the orthopaedic team asking her to come into hospital. They clearly had not checked their records! Receiving such a call knowing my Mum was in The hospital was also worrying as my initial thought was that something had happened.

The surgery was finally carried out on the Wednesday & she was allowed home the next day.

All of the different doctors she saw from orthopaedics, cardiology & anaesthetists kept asking her medical history. None seemed to be able to find her notes or retain even basic information. She had to tell them what drugs she was on & they kept contradicting each other.

I am very disappointed by the lack of communication & record keeping. Also, to allow a person to be nil by mouth for 3 days without any concern for their wellbeing is quite disgraceful.

I have had previous good experiences of St Richards but this has changed my mind & am worried that this true of all departments.