"Communication issues"

About: Victoria Hospital / Clincal Oncology Victoria Hospital / Emergency Care Ambulatory Service (ECAS) Victoria Hospital / Medical High Dependency

(as a relative),

My wife phoned the dedicated service for Cancer patients that was in the pack she was given because she felt unwell. She had six previous treatments of chemo and these feelings  were not the normal post Chemotherapy feelings. She was transferred twice giving her symptoms on each occasion to the service provider, in the end they said she had ticked two of the three boxes and that meant she would have to go to hospital. She was then told to go too the Emergency Triage Unit at Victoria hospital where she joined the queue.

She had bloods samples taken along with other tests in the waiting area then after a short time she was told she shouldn’t be there and was put in a side ward.  A long story short she was then taken to a side room in the renal unit where they did more tests and the two days later to the medical high dependency unit in Victoria Hospital where she passed away after three days, she had sepsis, pneumonia , and three separate lung infections, she was on 100% Oxygen and oxygen says of 80%. My question is why was she sent to a triage unit where even the staff there knew she shouldn’t have been due to the chances of infection because of her immunodeficiency?

My wife was treated with the utmost care by the NHS throughout her treatment but I feel there was a breakdown in the Cancer care by the staff who sent her to the Emergency Triage Unit at Victoria Hospital. Maybe this message can help in finding why there was a breakdown in the correct communication and my wife would have gone to the correct department to treat her in her immunodeficient state.

Kind regards, a bereaved husband.

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Responses

Response from Murdina MacDonald, Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services, NHS Fife 2 weeks ago
Murdina MacDonald
Lead Cancer Nurse, Cancer Services,
NHS Fife
Submitted on 01/07/2024 at 18:21
Published on Care Opinion at 18:21


Dear authenticzm67

My name is Murdina Macdonald. I am the Lead Cancer Nurse. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience during such a difficult time. First and foremost, I extend my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your wife. I am truly sorry for your loss and the distressing circumstances surrounding her final days.
I am saddened to hear about the sequence of events which suggests a breakdown in the communication and decision-making process.
If you are open to it, we would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further with you. I can be contacted via email on murdina.macdonald@nhs.scot. (I am on leave from 4- 16 July inclusive)

Once again, I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Kind regards,

Murdina

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