"Very pleased, but some issues"

Written by Healthwatch Cornwall on behalf of the story provider:

I had a scan at my GP's on my back/right leg, I'd been complaining about them for 50 years. Nobody had taken me seriously until Dr. Marrett (Fowey Surgery) saw me and arranged a scan at Treliske hospital in December 2017. The scan showed I required neurosurgery, which was done at Derriford hospital in Jan 2018 by Mr Fewings. Mr Fewings advised me of the possible downfalls of the surgery, I agreed and two days post-op had no pain or aches and the scar healed up in seven days. Care was wonderful. 

Physiotherapy has been slow, a letter had arrived before Xmas 2018 saying that I would have a couple of days of physiotherapy (didn't have any post surgery). I assumed the delay was due to waiting lists. The letter from Treliske was dated early December 2018 but it didn't arrive until 20 days later. The letter said if they hadn't heard from me within two weeks my name would be taken off the list. I therefore didn't pursue it and have been doing exercises myself. 

I then went to Treliske for a scan for internal bleeding. The GP had made a speedy referral, an internal examination had already been carried out and a letter then received saying could see nothing wrong but may need an extra one to investigate further. I've also been seen by the eye unit at Treliske over the last 5 years. All the staff have been wonderful. Ms Claridge had looked after me very well and was tireless. I'm partially sighted anyway and Ms. Claridge had performed a cataract operation. Though my eyesight hasn't improved I understood this to be one of the risks before the operation. I've also been seen at Penrice near St. Austell (Ms. Claridge moves the clinics around to improve access for people). The service at Penrice is fantastic and I've received some equipment from the unit to help when blind. My GP Dr Marrett always picks up things and is very thorough - she'll move heaven and earth to get you treated if she thinks something is wrong. Dr. Marrett had helped me reduce my cholesterol. 

In another instance I was a patient at Treliske on the Cardiac ward in September/October 2018. My GP referred me and I went to outpatients for testing. I was asked to wait in reception and the next thing I was wheeled to A&E. The doctor was supposed to have taken a blood sample in outpatients but had lost it. A&E took a blood test in the waiting room. The doctor had forgotten the cotton wool when taking the blood and I had to use a decrepit handkerchief to apply pressure. The doctor had forgotten the equipment to hold the blood once taken - just a needle but no receptacle to place the blood in. A&E was crowded and the doctor was run off their feet, they were very apologetic. I was taken to the cardiac ward and was depressed to find it was a mixed ward - no explanation given as to why this was but I assumed it was a capacity issue. It meant there had to be a curtain around me all the time and I could not enjoy the humour that might have been on a same gender ward where the curtain would have been open. I didn't enjoy the experience. I was on the ward for 2.5 days. I found it embarrassing and felt vulnerable as was tied up to a machine.

A note from Healthwatch Cornwall