OK, here are some more horror stories from NHS – Choices website,
from their Patient Opinion section where you can post your story about hospital
experiences.
These are three entries for St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey. I
took them in the second week of May 2014;
"A&E
bad experience, poor communication and lack..."
About: St
Peter's Hospital (Chertsey)
Posted by
Anonymous 5 days ago
Where to
start. My relative contacted the out of hours telephone number and eventually
was transferred to the 111 service, who after taking details advised my
relative to go to A&E straight away. We live between St.Peters and Frimley Park,
however chose to got to St. Peter's as my relative recently had treatment there
and we assumed they would have the details, especially as we thought today's
problems could be related to my relatives ongoing treatment. First 4 hours
wait, included an A&E assistant taking some tests, but being rude and not treating
my relative with any dignity, opening the door when they were still undressed
after some tests, the A&E assistant gave the impression that they were in a
rush and needed to get to the next patient quickly. When you are not feeling
well, you generally are unable to get dressed at a super quick pace.
Then the
Doctor, or Consultant, I'm not sure...as they never ever introduce themselves,
started to ask my relative, what was wrong with them, and why,exactly were they
in A&E today. The tone of this person was very rude, and came across very
much as wasting their time. We explained what the issue was, furthermore that
the 111 service had advised to go to A&E, the response, was "but they
just cover themselves". The attitude of this medical professional was, what
do you expect with your condition, and intimated that the symptoms that were
being suffered by my relative were "normal" using this expression a
lot. My relative, is not a pushy person, in fact was once in the medical
profession themselves so will tend not to over egg the point, always jumping on
the slightest hope from the medical profession that in fact there is no problem.
The questions were heavily loaded, so I had to interject at this point. I asked
the medical professional to clarify what they were asking, they got very
annoyed at this point. My relative has two hearing aids, so the Doctor should
have appreciated why I was trying to make sure that my relative understood what
was being asked. I explained that my relatives conditions were not
"normal" for my relative and the symptoms had not been experienced
for many years. The medical profession then reluctantly agreed to listen to my
relatives chest, after which they said that they would order a chest X-ray to
ensure everything was clear. So X-ray done, then the medical professional
returned and it was like to speaking to a completely different person. A more
humble, less arrogant person, who now seemed to give the impression that there
was actually something not right. The chest X-ray did show an issue, but my
relative was so close to that doctor discharging them with no treatment at all.
I was once in this hospital myself after a visit to the A&E and it is so
evident how much worse things are than my experience before. Can't type anymore
as maximum 3000 characters for each review. There is so much more to say, so I
will write a letter of complaint
Story from
NHS Choices
This is the second complaint, it’s a common problem – to save
money and reduce the number of beds in the hospital, patients are being sent
home too early;
"Need
alternative way to access help"
About: St
Peter's Hospital / General surgery
Posted by
Silverbells (as a carer), 2 days ago
My husband
had an operation and unfortunately needed a catheter fitted afterwards so he
could be discharged. A few days later he was in such discomfort and pain that I
needed advice, but due to my hearing loss, I cannot use the phone and could not
find a neighbour to help me. I ended up walking to my GP surgery to seek help,
although I was very worried about leaving my husband in the confused, painful and
stressed state he was in. When I got home and after a visit from the GP, I
discovered the remains of a burnt tea towel on the cooker, displaying the fact
he had tried use the cooker but just could not cope and had left the tea towel
to burn. Fortunately, the situation had not escalated to a full blown fire! I
needed an alternative way to get help.
This is the third one – a general complaint;
About: St
Peter's Hospital (Chertsey)
Posted by
Anonymous 4 days ago
Too many
unqualified care staff ,whos answers are"" i have only been here a
few days,i dont know,"not enough doctors,patients food left on side to go
cold while they wait for some one to possibly come and help them eat,no staff
to help older people to toilet so put in pads when they are not
incontinent,then end up with urine infections and a catheter,lack of staff to
give drinks on a regular basis,if this was a care home they would be shut down.
Hospitals should strive for excellence and be a local
institution that people look up to – unfortunately our local hospitals have
become commercial organisations, scheming how to take over the next door
hospital rather than concentrating on serving the local community well.
We can change that, if we try. Or do we let this go on?
Neil Harris
(a don’t stop till you drop production)
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