"My concerns have not been adequately addressed"

I am writing to share my distressing experience during my recent stay at Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital, specifically in G1 ward. My experience raises serious concerns about patient care and the handling of my medical condition.

Upon my admission, I began experiencing a red rash and severe itching, which worsened and developed into yellow blisters. Despite repeatedly informing the nursing staff of my discomfort and requesting antihistamines, my concerns were largely dismissed. The nursing staff suggested it was merely heat rash, and I was not seen by a doctor for several hours, even as my distress grew.

In desperation, I called 111 for assistance, which prompted a doctor to finally come to see me around 3 AM the next morning. This significant delay in receiving appropriate care and treatment left me feeling neglected and traumatized, especially given my history of depression and the emotional toll this experience took on my well-being.

I would like to highlight several critical points regarding my care during this time:

1.Medication Management: Despite informing the staff about my existing medications, I was not given my medications until my husband brought them in, leading to unnecessary stress.

2.Rash Assessment: The medical team did not thoroughly evaluate my rash. Instead of considering the possibility of an allergic reaction to antibiotics or a more serious condition, it was dismissed as heat rash.

3.Delayed Treatment: After experiencing a significant worsening of my condition, including yellow blisters, I received no timely intervention, which ultimately required me to seek help externally.

4.Miscommunication and lack of care: Throughout my stay, my requests for help and assessment were dismissed. The lack of urgency in addressing my symptoms exacerbated my condition and contributed to my emotional distress.

5.Follow-Up Care: After returning home, my GP diagnosed my condition as AGEP (Acute Generalised Exanthematous Pustulosis), a severe reaction that could have been prevented with timely intervention during my hospital stay.

I have submitted a complaint through PALS and communicated with the complaints manager about my experience. However, the response has been slow, and I feel that my concerns have not been adequately addressed. I have received a response but I am not satisfied with the enquiry or the answers.

I am reaching out to Care Opinion to let you know my experience. I have informed Healthwatch Sheffield and they guided me to you and few others. I have just now informed Care Quality Commission too. I hope that my voice is heard and that my experience contributes to meaningful improvements in patient care at Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital. I believe that no patient should endure what I have experienced, and I hope that sharing my story can lead to changes that prevent this from happening to others in the future.