"Four urgent admissions to FVRH"

During 5 days at the end of September, I was admitted to, and discharged from, FVRH four times. The first two admissions were to Cardiology and the second two to Surgical.

I want to thank the staff of A&E, Urgent Care, Out of Hours, Cardiology, CAU, SAU, Wards B11 & B12, and the team of Porters for the care, kindness and compassion I received while in FVRH. This clearly against the backcloth of very limited resources and challenging staffing levels.

I do not know the names of everyone who cared for me and, unsurprisingly, my recall is better for the more recent admissions. The following are the people whose names I do know – there were many more who also provided excellent care.

Cardiology

Dr Gingles and his team – many thanks – and apologies for not recalling the names of the nursing and support staff who cared for me so very well.

Ambulance Service

Greg – and his crew mate – who transferred me to RIE for treatment late on 29th Aug in the face of motorway closures!

Out of Hours

Nurse Alana, in the early hours of 21st Sept, who received me so compassionately, and arranged my re-admission.

SAU

Nurse Robert listened to my concerns in connection with how I would cope with the preparations for a procedure. He responded and went the extra mile to help me with the preparations. I appreciated that very much indeed.

Ward B11

Nurses Emily and Stacey stand out for me while I was on that ward – though many other nurses and support staff also provided care and compassion.

Ward B12

As this was my most recent admission I recall more of the names of the team. I am indebted to Nurses Stacey, Claire and Fyona. Night nurses Hannah and Simi (in her own quiet way) cared so well for me. Support staff Fiona and Elaine (domestic team) were excellent and always encouraging.

Many, many, others showed kindness and compassion – Doctors, Nurses, Auxiliary Staff, Domestic Staff and Catering Staff. My thanks to you all.

Overall Impression

While I was undoubtedly cared for with kindness and compassion during my hospital stays, my overall impression was of staff working under great pressure, slots often being covered by staff unfamiliar with the ward because there was no other option. Many staff wore ‘Bank’ ID badges indicating a shortage of permanent staff. The Cardiology Ward seemed to be the best resourced and could perhaps be a model which Senior Managers could usefully replicate elsewhere in the hospital. A&E was operating under great pressure each of the three times I was admitted by this route. While I appreciate these issues are not easily addressed it would be encouraging to know that the Chief Exec and the Board are aware and have a plan to tackle theses challenges which staff face on a daily basis.