I was sent in for a chest X-Ray, only to find that the situation with my lungs was so bad they held me for immediate admission. This unplanned stay was not handled as well as I could have hoped for; at two points of that day I had 5 hour plus waiting periods, but on reflection I am not unhappy. I stayed for 6 nights and during that time my experience became more positive. The ward staff and nurses, the doctors and consultants were superb. And as a side issue, the food was much better than I ever imagined it would be.
So, all in all, quite positive - until the need for after care.
And here is the weak point in my experience. The system rules and woe betide me when my need for help crossed the needs of the system. Even finding a route to talk to anyone is a trial. Many of the phone numbers were unavailable and in the case of the district nurses ring unanswered until they auto-cut the call. And off I went again.
And as for help; while the nurses themselves always come over as both kind and professional, they didn't try and get an appointment to suit me.
No-one seems to appreciate that if, as an 81 year old, I suddenly discover I may have but a few weeks to live, my first thoughts will be to sorting out my affairs and helping my wife plan for her solitary future. I do not want to spend days sitting at home waiting for a nurse to come and drain my lung. It is a ten minute job.
And it appears all this stems from one person who recently left (most excellent lady, I must say) but it seems to have thrown their system into chaos. And while I waited (an hour late) everyone looked at me blankly, as if it was the done thing. And it appears that my appointment (and one other) was over-looked. But it's not just the clinic, there seems to be a general lack of cohesion and individual care about the service in general and all is covered by a well rehearsed set of excuses.
I could say much more but I am fast reaching a point where my expectations are dwindling to a level that my post here would become a little more than an uncontrolled rant.
"Medway Hospital treatment and after care."
About: Medway Community Healthcare / Community respiratory team Medway Community Healthcare Community respiratory team ME8 0NJ Medway Maritime Hospital / Accident and emergency Medway Maritime Hospital Accident and emergency Gillingham ME7 5NY Medway Maritime Hospital / Respiratory medicine Medway Maritime Hospital Respiratory medicine ME7 5NY
Posted by Diadem (as ),
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Update posted by Diadem (a service user) 5 years ago
Update posted by Diadem (a service user) 5 years ago