"I am not ‘Bed 6’"

Admitted by GP to Ward 14.

Was in for 24 hrs. During that time no-one asked me anything about me, other than to repeatedly ask me to repeat why I had come in. Made repeated wrong assumptions, rather than checking eg repeatedly assumed I was 10 years younger than my age. 

Other than 1 kindly night staff nurse & 1 kindly porter, no-one showed any kindness or compassion or gave me any information. No other nurse introduced themselves. The junior nursing staff I came across seemed clearly very fed up. All the staff I saw shouted when talking to all patients, so no confidentially - no patient had hearing impairment as far as I am aware. On arrival nurse thrust form in front of me and asked me to sign it. When I asked what it was, told I was signing to say I took responsibility for my belongings. No-one told me where toilets, bathing etc was. Told to eat and drink lots but not provided with food & drink & unable to leave ward to buy any.  Blood pressure really high, but dismissed, no interest in knowing my ‘normal’ blood pressure or temp.

Communication between staff really poor, no-one seemed to know what was going on. Nurses very confused as to which medication patients on. I was repeatedly referred to in front of me as ‘Bed 6’. 

Would recommend all staff read and learn from Dr Kate Granger’s book ‘The Other Side’. Left feeling dehumanised, as if I was a piece of equipment passing through a factory, rather than a human being.