"Basic nursing care and good manners must never be forgotten"

I saw my GP having had stroke like symptoms during the night. Was asked to attend the Ambulatory Assessment Area in Ninewells Hospital. It was busy but clear that the staff on duty were efficiently working their way through patient workload. I witnessed great teamwork. Special thanks to Dr Sanderson, Jim and Laura (staff nurses) who were not only professional but gracious, attentive and worked hard at keeping the mood light. Every effort was made to ensure patients were kept hydrated and were offered something to eat as we waited to be seen. 

Laura was very kind and escorted to me to a bed in the short stay ward. She explained that someone would be with me to sort out some pain relief as my headache remained and I would be brought a jug of water. 

2 hours passed and not 1 member of staff spoke to me. I left the ward to buy a coffee and attend the CT scan which had been arranged.

I returned to the ward and shortly after was asked if I wanted an evening meal. I thanked the staff and took that opportunity to ask for a jug of water. I took my own pain relief at this point as I still had not been offered anything

A staff nurse came to me later to inform me of my scan result and that I'd be staying overnight. I looked for a linen trolley around 11pm as I wanted a shower and was met by a disgruntled HCW who gave me towels with no words spoken and certainly no  smile either. Luckily my daughter brought my regular medication to me which I took at bedtime since I was missed at the evening drug round.

The first member of the ward staff who introduced themselves and seemed to be happy that she was in her work was student nurse Jenna. She was attentive, even waking me at 3am to check my obs and refresh my water jug.

12hrs on and the same jug of now sun warmed water sits on my bedside as does all the other patients' jugs.

I had an invasive procedure done at bedside by Dr Sanderson who was reassuring, informative and kind. The student nurse who assisted was kind also. My instruction was to lie flat for an hour as I may develop a headache. I did so, then I asked if I could leave the ward area  to buy a coffee and snack as there had been no offer of a hot drink since lunch.

I returned to my bedside and still await any member of the nursing team to check on how I was feeling since procedure. After being told I was okay to be discharged I requested that a member of nursing staff check my blood pressure and the dressing from my spinal procedure. This had not been checked since the procedure was done. The 12+ hr old water jug remained as I was discharged home. My dressing yet to be inspected.

I am a registered nurse, and I would have been mortified if the standard of nursing care given by my team was as poor as this. Basic nursing care and good manners must never be forgotten. 

I wish Jenna the student nurse all the luck in her career.