What I liked
The specialist nurse who sat with me while I received my intravenous infusion for pain relief was personable and thorough - she was an asset to the NHS.
The consultant dealt with my complaint about long gaps between treatments by offering me any cancellations that came up (a good idea) and gave me details of who to contact - but when I did so, it proved to be unreliable information - they have no capability or wish to fill gaps in that way. They seem to prefer to waste them.
What could be improved
The day case ward is over-staffed with nurses who spent all morning gossiping while healthcare assistants seemed to do all the real nursing work. Being subjected to the nursing staff conversations about holidays, boyfriends, nights out, husbands and hospital rumours does nothing to treat patients better.
I get asked the same questions over and over again by different people to fill in forms - it should all be on computer. You could learn from other hospitals where I correct/update print-outs.
Pain management was moved from Leicester Royal Infirmary to the General so it would be "more efficient". All I have experienced is less treatment. The quarterly cycle I had been on for several years that enables me to work full-time as a company Chief Executive has been steadily reduced by the General to 6 monthly. This is not a clinical decision by the consultant - it is a management decision to save money. But I end up on sick leave unable to work - and the state loses far more in lost tax from me that the treatment costs. The only place left for me to take my complaint about this is my MP because my consultant just blames the bean counters and my GP says the General is doing it to all of his referrals.
The Leicester Royal Infirmary Pain Unit was a delight to be treated in - but it is mothballed. An asset that is being wasted by the NHS standing idle. Instead the General is impersonal, factory style healthcare delivered less frequently so I am ill more often - it is just atrocious.
Anything else?
I can't help thinking that a specialist private company, contracted to run the Pain Management Service and Day Case Units would do a much better job of it by using the resources better.
"Stressful, inefficient and unmanaged - Is anyone..."
About: Leicester General Hospital Leicester General Hospital Leicester LE5 4PW
Posted via nhs.uk
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