"Great experience throughout, disappointing…"

I recently attended the Emergency Dept. following an ankle injury and I was admitted to Ward 10d for an operation. All staff across both areas, and the theatre, were outstanding. Particular thanks to Ward 10d for all their care and attention as, thankfully due to the short waiting times in the Emergency Dept., I spent nearly the entirety of my stay in Ward 10d. It was my first inpatient stay in hospital which was unsettling for me at first, but being an National Health Services worker myself in a different health board I am familiar with the routines and pressures, and with that in mind I must say that the Ward 10d staff are an absolute credit to the National Health Services so many thanks to them.

My only complaint comes from my discharge process. I was seen by physio and upright from 9.30am when I was then told by my consultant I could be discharged. I was told I would be moved into a waiting room to await my discharge prescription with a recliner to elevate my ankle as I was less than 24 hours post surgery at this point. However within 10 minutes of being on the recliner, I was moved onto a chair and the recliner moved elsewhere. I then went on to sit in this position for 5 hours awaiting my discharge prescription. I went 7 hours without analgesia as I was unable to call for assistance as the room I was in did not have a buzzer and I was still awaiting my discharge prescription. I was in excruciating pain from the position I was in. I appreciate the pressures the ward are under to get patients out of rooms etc. however I would still expect patients comfort with leg elevation/bed rest and analgesia to be a priority when less than 24 hours post surgery with metalwork. The nursing assistants were fantastic at offering me diet and fluids and doing their best to keep me updated, and I could tell the nurses were working tirelessly. However unfortunately the pressures behind the scenes let me down hugely.