Following a trip to A& E with cellulitis, my 90 year old parent was referred to AAU. We arrived in good time for the 1pm appointment for IV antibiotics only to be told we were expected at 9am.
After a short delay we were shown into a consulting room and a nurse took some information and checked blood pressure. Then we waited for 2. 5 hours during which countless doctors and nurses peered into the room looking for consulting space, never acknowledging us nor apologising for their intrusion.
About 3. 30pm a junior doctor arrived to make an assessment explaining notes from A& E were lost and could my elderly parent confirm what antibiotic was administered by IV in A& E the previous day! After another delay antibiotics were given by IV followed by a flush, a process of 30 minutes. My parent was left in the completed IV drip (bleeping and flashing red) for a further 10 minutes before a nurse we had not met before came in to disconnect.
The nurse asked us did we know what was to happen next and went to consult the junior doctor when we replied no. She returned a short while later to say we could go home with no further information given about how to monitor the condition, oral antibiotic and pain killer usage and GP referrals. We were in AAU for 4. 5 hours for 40 minutes of health care practitioner contact.
"4. 5 hours for 40 minutes of health care practitioner contact"
About: Borders General Hospital / Acute Assessment Unit Borders General Hospital Acute Assessment Unit Melrose TD6 9BS
Posted by AnniePLeft (as ),
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