"Poor communication"

I was admitted to a surgical receiving ward following review in the assessment unit. I was sent up by my GP with upper abdominal pain. I was reviewed by surgical team and admitted with possible gallbladder attack. I was clear fluids only until my ultrasound scan. The nursing team on ward 63 were lovely and attentive and very hard working.

I was then ‘boarded’ to ward 56 to free up surgical beds. I asked if someone was going to review me to explain how the ultrasound scan went and I was advised someone would see me the next morning. Monday came and went and no one reviewed me. Despite it being escalated by the senior charge nurse on the ward I saw no doctor, I was advised that they may have had to attend emergency theatre hence the reason I was not seen.

I was then reviewed the next morning by a surgical registrar who advised I was allowed to go home, however they wanted repeat bloods to ensure they were normal. My ultrasound scan was reported as clear, I was told likely biliary colic however no gallstones were found. They were sending me home with regular pain relief as I remained sore. I had my bags packed and shoes on and I was ready to leave.

The same Dr then came back on to the ward to tell me that my bloods were not normal and in fact they wanted me to stay in to see a liver specialist. They then asked how much alcohol I consumed, which is near to none! They wanted me to remain on the ward with repeat bloods being done the next morning.

I had bloods done the next morning and was shortly seen by the consultant surgeon. I was told I could go home as they had no concerns, i asked about the concerns regarding my liver and they didn’t seem phased. I discussed my concerns regarding the chat the previous night with the surgical registrar regarding my abnormal blood results and I was told that there were no notes documented to say that anyone seen me or that there was any discussion regarding concerns about my liver. I advised that I was concerned as I was told my blood results where not normal, but surgeon advised that the bloods looked normal to them and it was likely gastritis! They then told me that it was likely I was seen by a dr that didn’t know their arse from their elbow. They then sent me home.

The nursing staff on ward 56 are amazing, amazing nurses who have the best bedside manner. The nurse who did the bloods is so good at her job and made getting my bloods easy.

I was not impressed by the communication by the surgical team and the mixed information that I had received. The NHS get a lot of backlash at the moment and I feel this is one of the reasons why, if they just talked and made decisions as a team with accurate documentation then there could be fewer mixed messages passed to patients which then result in a negative patient experience.