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Two nurses did not introduce themselves

Posted By Disheartened daughter

"Two nurses did not introduce themselves"

About: Victoria Hospital / Haematology/Oncology Day Unit

(as a relative),

Attended with my mother who is having weekly chemotherapy for gall bladder cancer for the foreseeable future. This is not intended to berate anybody personally. Mostly the staff were friendly and kind, however, two nurses did not introduce themselves at all to my Mum and also proceeded to fail to cannulate her despite good veins. She was successfully cannulated on the fourth attempt by another member of staff who was kind and competent and managed it easily. We all appreciate this is a busy unit but using ‘Hello my name is...’ and managing to cannulate a cancer patient on the first or second go is vital to reduce suffering. They are already suffering enough. I believe ore training may be required for some of the nurses or cannulation should perhaps be left to the most skilled. I hope this feedback is taken into consideration.

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Responses

Response from Esther Pow, Clinical Nurse Manager, Emergency Care Directorate, NHS Fife 4 years ago
Esther Pow
Clinical Nurse Manager, Emergency Care Directorate,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 30/08/2019 at 16:05
Published on Care Opinion at 16:05

picture of Esther Pow

Dear Disheartened Daughter

Gillian Wilson was concerned by your feedback and wished to respond in person to assure you that this is not the experience we would expect for our patients. Gillian unfortunately has no access as a responder at this time, I apologise for the delay however please see the response below on behalf of the Haematology/Oncology Day Unit Team.

Hello, My name is Gillian Wilson and I am the Nurse Consultant for chemotherapy in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.

Thank you for taking the time to feedback to us about your mother’s visit to the Haematology/ Oncology Day Unit for treatment.

First of all, I would like to apologise that there were aspects of your mother’s care that left you feeling let down during this stressful time.

Please accept my apologies that two members of our nursing team did not introduce themselves to your mother whilst caring for her. We have recently purchased “Hello my name is ……..” badges to be worn by all of the team and await their arrival, however they are by no means to replace a verbal introduction. Our Senior Charge Nurse is reminding our team of one of our core standards of ensuring that we introduce ourselves to the patient and any family members present.

I am sorry that my nurse was unable to cannulate your mother successfully. We have a comprehensive training programme which covers all aspects of care from preparation of the patient through to successful cannulation. As a team we will review what learning is necessary and ensure that this is implemented/shared with the team. It may have been helpful for you and your mother to know if the members of staff were still gaining confidence in this skill. It would have allowed an opportunity to raise your concern to avoid this. Please feel free to discuss this on your next visit with Senior Charge Nurse Isla Smith.

We are always pleased to receive feedback from our patients and their families to help maintain high standards of patient centred care, so thank you for taking the time to do this.

We would happy to discuss this situation further with you and if you would like to do so please call Senior Charge Nurse Isla Smith on 01592 729343.

I hope you have found this response helpful and it brings some reassurance to your Mother for her next visit.

Best wishes

Esther

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