"Transfer from HDU onto a ward."

Id like to start off by saying that my surgical team were brilliant. The night before my surgery some of them appeared in my room and took it turns to discuss their role. It really helped to put my mind at ease. On entering the OR the faces of the staff were delightful. My nurse in ICU and then the nurse in HDU were amazing.

My story is regarding the reduction of pain meds on transfer to a ward. They are literally cut in half and I did suffer.  When I asked for pain relief was told I wasn't getting any by a particular nurse. Bearing in mind I was recovering from open heart surgery, I had no pain relief for 8 hours and was quite distraught. The nurse could have taken the time to explain why but chose not to. I was also accused  of getting upset just to get a room. I still don't understand what they meant by that. 

When shift change happened the next nurse handed the meds to the wrong patient. I had to question everything I was given. I also had to help a few patients on my ward as the nurse said they hadn't time to help them out of bed. One was on morphine and was so uncomfortable and needed the bathroom which I might add is freezing. 

Next day was no better in that the agency staff that came in for the evening. I had to remind the nurse to come back to me 3 different times to give me the correct meds and check my BP.

When a asked a member of the domestic staff for something light as in a cheese sandwich or a slice of toast, as I felt so ill,  I was told I would get what I was given. No compassion whatsoever. BTW just to add the food during my stay was diabolical. Who agreed the contract for that?

There were a few positives i.e. one care assistant that went above and beyond, 2 nurses, one of which changed my meds which was a massive help and a QUB student nurse who was very empathetic. Im very grateful to one of the healthcare workers who sat and talked to me when her shift had finished. A few porters, one who transferred me to and from xray and one who helped me to the discharge lounge after searching for me for half an hour as he'd been given the wrong name. To the staff that cared for me, I thank you all. To the ones that didn't, you made a hard time even harder.