"Inpatient experience following knee surgery"

I was planned to be a day case but my surgery was a little longer than anticipated and more complex and resulted in an overnight stay on Hasland ward.

On admission to the ward the staff were so lovely. My nurse Rosie was amazing and so caring and professional, she made sure I was comfortable and helped me with my pain through the night. All the night staff appeared to work really hard.

The next day I was planned to go home. I had been partially weight bearing on my leg as per the surgeon instructions and independently going to the toilet to PU. The nurse who was looking after me during the day told me off for this and said I had to wait for the physio to come and assess me. I explained I had spoken to the surgeon who had said I was ok to mobilise with my crutches.

Later in the morning was planned for X-ray. I asked for pain relief knowing I had the physio coming to see me too and I was going to X-ray and knew I would struggle with the pain. The nurse came at lunchtime and gave me all my medication. On administering my medicine she tried to put the tablets and liquid pain relief in my mouth rather than let me do this myself. I found this quite undignified and not necessary. I am a young woman and more than capable. I wasn’t drowsy or unwell at the time so I wasn’t sure why she felt the need to do this.

After nearly 3 hours and all my interventions I was struggling with pain again so asked for the PRN pain relief and the nurse refused me and said I had it not long ago and she would need to speak to the doctor. I heard her speak to them and they told her I was fine to have it, that is what the PRN is for.

She came with the medicine and tried to squirt it in my mouth again, this time I stopped her and asked if I could please do this myself. She agreed and I didn’t see her after this.

She was working alongside another person and both of them I found quite unapproachable and borderline rude at times and I didn’t feel comfortable with them looking after me. This was a shame as all the other staff were really lovely, so this was a little disappointing.

My only other concern is on discharge I saw a staff member who I felt was rushing me out of my room. I understand the pressures of the NHS (I work in the NHS) but I'd not seen the physio or had my X-ray and she was talking about putting me in the discharge lounge. This panicked me a little as I was in a lot of pain and didn’t feel I would be comfortable sat in a chair for hours waiting for for all the interventions and TTOs etc… thank god the surgeon came to the ward not long after and told her he wanted to check my X-ray before I was discharged home.

When I went to X-ray I left the ward for 20 or so minutes. On my return my water jug and cup had gone and they had started to strip my bed. It was the housekeeper who told them I hadn’t left the ward and all my belongings were still there.

Apart from the concerns above which are merely for feedback for the ward to hopefully help other patients in the future I can honestly say, the overall care I received was impeccable and the other members of staff work so hard and are a credit to you.

Thank you so much.