"My infant's Hospital stay"

Firstly I'd like to say how amazing Dr Lee is.  I can't rate her highly enough she is an amazing asset to the Hospital .  She goes that extra mile for her patients. She even came in the next day which happened to be her day off to see how my baby girl was doing after the operation. (Amazing and so caring) All the staff that took part in her operation were also really fantastic & kind . 

Coming to this hospital I had high expectations as it's a Super Hospital but the only thing Super I felt were the staff.  And heres why...

Not being at this hospital before and having experience of Yorkhill hospital needing a permit if staying for a length of time I enquired about where to get a parking permit as it was already decided my daughter and I would have to stay overnight.  I was advised the ward would issue this! On arrival I parked and my toddler and I headed to the ward and was told that Even though this is where my daughter would be staying overnight I had to go to day surgery department right now and I'd get a permit there.  So upon my arrival at outpatients day surgery the receptionist advised I could only be issued a 4hr permit there .  Once I explained the ward staff were not interested in issuing my permit and advised me to go to outpatients for one , I explained it was just my daughter and myself and there was no way I was leaving on the ward after  her  operation whilst having to change 4hr permits ... staff member very kindly wrote on top of the permit 24hrs. 

Whilst my daughter was in surgery I then went back to ask the overnight  ward for the correct parking permit as I was scared I'd receive a ticket .  I was told "No" and actually as it's Friday the parking attendants finish at 4pm anyway so just to ignore it!?  This made me feel really stressed and anxious when this should be a simple and straight forward Matter especially as i had more important things to worry about ie my baby in theatre . If a permit is required by hospital policy Might I suggest permit/ exemption sent out with booking letter.

I will now move onto the ward itself Very poor .   My daughters bars on her bed were not clean and didn't look like they had been cleaned in some time as dust and black residue was collected round some of the bed frame itself. Luckily I had Dettol spray with me. As for the horrid fold down bed I had it had yucky black marks at the sides  of it which in my opinion looked like mould . If I was not already stressed by my lack of help re permit and exhausted / relived my daughter was safely through her Operation I would have complained at the time. I also witnessed a bed area being very poorly cleaned once a patient was discharged.  A small area around the bed was mopped and the mattress was wiped..  that was it!?  The bedframe , table, chair and cabinet were all untouched??? Given this is a Ward with babies and toddlers recovering from Surgery I feel this is a disgrace!! No wonder infection spread is so high in Hospitals. 

 I have had several  4/5 day stays in Raigmore with my daughter . The facilities are very clean and good for both Child and parent. And they always have cleaners on the go throughout the Childrens ward. Another thing I commend Raigmore for is they allow the parent sleep on the babies bed if this comforts the child. In my opinion this makes a less stressful situation for both Child and parent.. obviously if the child is older then this should not be required but when a child is in distress and unwell they just want cuddles. I ended up having to take my daughter post op in a dirty unsafe fold down bed with no side supporting bars as this is the only way she would settle.  I really strongly feel this should be reviewed in this hospital. 

This so far has been a terrible hospital for Cleanliness and facilities  in the Ward itself, again I want to stress the majority of staff are great .   

. Really disappointing  such a shame as I could not rate Yorkhill  hospital highly enough when I had to attend with my older Children .