"PRUH's PIU"

My younger son, who has Crohn's Disease, was woken @ 03:45 with severe pain and diagnosed with a kidney stone 4mm in diameter at the PRUH's A & E. Although the A & E doctor said that patients with kidney stones under 5mm in diameter were sent home, my son was admitted to the PIU by the Urology team and kept overnight, with no prior discussion or knowledge of either. In the morning, he was told that he might be moved to theatre and was therefore not allowed to eat or drink, although fluids are required to pass kidney stones. He was seen very briefly during rounds over 3 hours later and told that he would be discharged: few if any questions were asked, incorrect assumptions were made about the quantity and type of fluids he usually drinks and no advice was given re: possible methods of preventing recurrence. In our view, his admission and overnight stay were a complete waste of NHS resources and discussion/information virtually non-existent.

We would however like to commend the nursing and support staff, who were cheerful, efficient and helpful.