My husband was diagnosed with cancer and admitted to Ward 3 for elective surgery. This all happened very quickly, and we are very grateful for that. However, the lack of knowledge, care, or compassion from nursing staff on Ward 3 was shocking.
With over 30 years working in healthcare myself, I was stunned by the sheer lack of preparation and information that the admitting nurse had. They shared that this was their first day on the ward. Was completely oblivious to the fact that my husband was having surgery for cancer, and even when informed of this, seemed out of their depth and certainly did not offer any compassion or support. The admission process was chaotic. The theatre porter arrived and was understandably frustrated as they had to source a gown, armband, and TED stockings before taking him to theatre.
The post-op care was even worse. I arrived that evening to find my normally strong and stoic husband distressed. His tray table, drink, and buzzer were out of his reach. He hadn’t had a drink, he was desperate to pass urine but was unable to get out of bed, and he had been left in a paper theatre gown that had been ripped off at the waist, leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable.
I overheard staff outside the room discussing personal issues, and when I approached to ask them for a urinal, I was told to ask somebody else as they were having handover.
The next day, three different members of staff commented on stained and bloody dressings that needed to be changed. Yet these soiled dressings were left intact until I arrived that evening and asked for them to be changed prior to discharge. The staff member who removed them did so without wearing gloves, without cleaning the wound, and commented that one looked dirty.
My husband subsequently developed a significant wound infection and had to attend the GP treatment room for a fortnight.
I have always defended nurses and nursing—it is the most challenging job in the world—but I cannot believe how little empathy, compassion, or professionalism was demonstrated and what poor standards of care we witnessed.
What has gone so wrong?
"What has gone so wrong?"
About: Ear, Nose & Throat / Ward 3 Ear, Nose & Throat Ward 3 Londonderry BT47 6SB
Posted by Common Sense (as ),
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