"I survived"

What I liked

I survived

What could be improved

Patient 13th - 17th July

Post operative care was appalling. The ward had "run out" of one of the strong pain killers that, not only had I been prescribed by the surgeon but, I had been taking for the past 2 years - therefore, I was dependant on them. Post-operative morphine had also been prescribed but that was not offered either. (I later found out that it had been written up on the back of the drug sheet but no-one knew to turn over the page). My spinal surgery was performed at 3.30pm Friday and I was offered nothing but Paracetamol until Monday afternoon. No doctor was called to prescribe me an alternative. The pharmacy (which was closed over the weekend) apparently sent my prescribed pain-killers up to the ward on the Monday morning but by the time I was discharged on Tuesday afternoon, the ward still hadn't 'found' them. The attitude of most of the ward staff was surly, flippant or indifferent. There was NO communication between doctors/nurses/pharmacists and there didn't seem to be anyone in authority anywhere.

Food was inedible, equipment was broken, day room was filthy and being used as a store.

A most unpleasant and painful experience.