What I liked
The surgical and nursing staff that looked after me on my recent stay in Hinchingbrooke could not be faulted. I was looked after very well. This was my second visit to Hinchingbrooke and Juniper ward for bowel cancer related surgery. The previous visit was in September 2010 and I received the same very high standard of care from the the very understaffed nurses.
My bedding was changed daily and the ward was cleaned daily. I thought that infection control was given a high priority.
What could be improved
All of the good work of the surgeons and nurses was let down by the Hospital's abysmal discharge procedure. It is a thorough disgrace to the Hospital.
During the surgeon's rounds at 08.30 on Friday 8th April, I was told that I would be discharged that day, the paper work would be started and I would be out of the hospital round about lunch time. I assumed that three and a half hours was the usual time for dischsrge paper work to be prepared as it took about the same time to complete on my previous stay.
Lunch time came and went with still no sign of discherge. At 2 pm I asked at the nurses station if was still to be discharged that day or if there had been a change of mind. I was told that I was still to be discharged and that the paperwork was being prepared.
At 3 pm my sister and brother-in-law called me to say that they were on there way to collect me from the hospital and I again asked for progress and was told that it was still being processed. I then advised the staff in the ward that my relatives were on their way in to collect me and that if it was not ready by the time that they arrived, I would be leaving without it and that they could post it to me.
Miraculously, the discharge papers were "found" on a desk at the nurse's station.
At 3.40 pm I eventually left the hospital. This was disgusting and totally unacceptable.
Get you diasharge procedures sorted out. Seven plus hours to fill out three or four sheets of paper work should not be allowed to continue.
"Surgical and nursing care excellent,..."
About: Hinchingbrooke Hospital Hinchingbrooke Hospital Huntingdon PE29 6NT
Posted via nhs.uk
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