"Disappointed by failures to have sufficient nursing staff"

I will start by saying that the nursing and clinical staff in the Haematology Day unit provide very good care and support. 

I was contacted at 9.50am by a nurse who advised my appointment that day at 12.30pm would be for bloods only and if required  a Venesection ( pint of blood removed) that I would be required to return another day. No consideration to my circumstance or how or what support that I require to attend appointment or I had to reschedule previous appointment.

I explained that my agreed treatment plan is that I have bloods taken, wait for results and if required then have Venesection, if not, return home. The nurse went on to explain that my previous bloods taken after Venesection 8 weeks ago showed my levels were ok. I explained that this was 8 weeks ago and therefore my levels may have increased. I was told that there is a staff shortage today and there is no way this can be carried out. 

I was frustrated by this as firstly it’s extreme short notice and as a disabled veteran of the armed forces who is wheelchair dependent, I have chronic pain and require support at home by my wife to attend appointments which takes place several hours before I even get to the hospital. I was and continue to be frustrated by the dismissive approach I received.

I then advised I was not satisfied by this short notice as well as the fact that instead of checking my blood levels today as should take place and then getting venesection ( if required) bloods taken 8 weeks ago were being used to check my levels.

I was then directed to the charge nurse. On speaking with the charge nurse I was again advised of the above. I explained again that bloods taken 8 weeks ago should not be used to check my  levels. I was then advised that there is a staff shortage of nurses and that were they to use my blood count from 8 weeks ago to carry out a Venesection which would need to take place later in the afternoon it would affect their registration ( I assume Nursing registration). I advised that at no time in my conversation had I indicated or suggested that a Venesection be carried out on 8 week old blood results, in fact my issue is exactly this fact that they have used 8 week blood results to make an informed decision around my need for a Venesection. 

I then repeated that to attend this appointment, like other visits is difficult due to chronic pain and it takes me several hours to get ready regardless of appointment time. 

I was then told that there was no alternative outcome available today due to staff shortage. I then advised the charge nurse that nursing staff are aware that on my attendance for this treatment bloods require to be taken, then I wait, which I have done since attending the clinic for over 27 years. 

I have always accepted that my  blood results can vary from 20 minutes to an hour and a half or longer and I am always happy to wait even if the result is that I do not require a Venesection, which is always a positive.  I take a book, because in a hospital that deals with all types of emergencies one should expect delays, after all if you need additional time you would want this. 

I have never complained that I require to wait as long as my results take to return to allow staff to carry out Venesection before they close.  

I then advised the charge nurse that I am extremely unhappy with this outcome and suggested as has been agreed to request an appointment where blood can be checked and if I require a Venesection this is carried out on the same day   I was then informed even if my current bloods were taken today and I required a Venesection today due to staff shortage this will not take place. 

I have had on several occasions as of late had to go through the process of advising nursing staff that on my appointment the decision not to carry out a Venesection if required is not based upon bloods tested 6 or 8 weeks previous to the appointment I am at but bloods tested on the day. I am unsure if this is as a result of the pressure and timescales being placed upon them by their management as I do not understand why there is this unwillingness to use blood results on the day. The reason I say this is that my blood levels that indicate I need a Venesection can increase from week to week and using blood results that are 8 weeks old is not acceptable.

I attend these appointments as a preventative measure as my blood thickens and this can result in serious outcome for me if not monitored.

I do note that there has been staff changes so again is this something that has resulted in management altering how things are done?

Like most individuals I do not like making a complaint. It’s unfair on staff who work very hard and provide very good care and supports. 

I did inform the charge nurse who is a very dedicated staff member who works very hard though challenging times and provides me with very good care and supports when at clinic I was making a complaint as this is not acceptable. I will also forward my complaint to the elected government minister. 

I had phoned the senior nurse manager for this service after being advised of this but they were not available.

There can of course be repercussions when making a complaint but I have been advised a new appointment will be sent. I am very disappointed by failures of University Hospital Wishaw to have sufficient nursing staff to maintain the Haematology Day bed Unit.