Care Opinion

Trip to ED in ambulance

Posted By septemberyk76

"Trip to ED in ambulance"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response

(as a relative),

I recently accompanied a relative with dementia to hospital via ambulance. When we arrived (late at night), we had to wait a few hours in the ambulance as ED was busy. This turned out to be a very positive experience. The paramedics Rachel & Shelley were fantastic - they kept the ambulance warm, dark & quiet (even covering all the lights that were distracting/annoying Dad), so he was able to get some sleep. Thank you girls!

ED in contrast was bright & loud (to be expected in such a busy place). Unfortunately in ambulance triage one switch controls all of the lights in the bed spaces, and has to be on for staff to work with their patients. This means that all patients are lying under a very bright light all night (not ideal for any patient, but particularly those with dementia/at risk of delirium).

It would make such a difference if each bed space had an individually controlled light that could be turned off when the patient is not being seen, facilitating sleep. Simple things make a huge difference for those with dementia. 
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Responses

Response from Maggie Hamilton, Experience & Involvement Facilitator, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service yesterday
Maggie Hamilton
Experience & Involvement Facilitator, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Experience and Involvement Facilitator is responsible for developing and delivering high quality, effective services and processes for NIAS Service Users, Carers, their Advocates, the Public and NIAS Staff across Northern Ireland (NI) to facilitate and enable them to fully contribute to and participate in experience and involvement in relation to the NIAS.

Submitted on 04/10/2024 at 14:01
Published on Care Opinion at 14:01

picture of Maggie Hamilton

Good afternoon septemberyk76,

Thank you for taking the time to share your valued feedback. We are always grateful to those who share their experiences of the services they have received. It was heartening to learn how fantastic Rachel & Shelley were with your dad and how they kept the ambulance warm, dark & quiet so he was able to get some sleep. As an organisation we are committed to consistently show compassion, professionalism, and respect for the patients we care for. I would like to share your feedback with the clinicians who attended to you on the day and in order to locate them I would require the following information:

o Date and approximate time of the incident

o The address the ambulance was dispatched to

If you are happy to share this information, I can be contacted at:

Maggie.hamilton@nias.hscni.net

I hope your dad is recovering well.

Kind regards,

Maggie

PPI Opportunities

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service are currently developing a range of opportunities for Service Users, Carers, and members of the public to inform the planning, delivery and evaluation of its service. To find our more please visit Current Opportunities - Engage (hscni.net) or email PPI Team at ppi@nias.hscni.net

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