"Colonoscopy"

I am sorry to hear that your recent colonoscopy procedure did not go well at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Communication with the patient throughout this procedure is vital, and you should have been involved and kept updated so you knew what was happening and I am sorry this was not the case. I have passed your comments onto the Gastroenterology Unit Manager to get more detailed explanation of what occurred as your story clearly illustrates how poor communication can not only impact on your care but also on how this makes you feel as a patient not knowing what is happening.

The unit manager says all patients receive a copy of the colonoscopy leaflet which highlights key issues for patients to be aware of prior to their procedure, it explains that the procedure can be painful and with consenting patients pain is highlighted as one of the risks.

The sedation used is conscious sedation for safety reasons, this too is documented in the leaflet and is discussed prior to procedure taking place by the nursing staff. All patients should be informed of conscious sedation at admission and patients are also offered the alternative of Entonox (gas and air). All patients receive a discharge leaflet after their procedure with what to expect and a 24 telephone number to contact if they have any queries.

I do apologise if you did not receive copies of both of the leaflets mentioned, the unit manager is meeting with the team to remind them of the importance of handing out these information leaflets to all patients who have the procedure and will ensure your feedback is used to help improve and develop their service.

If you would like to discuss your treatment further, please contact our Patient Relations team on 01253 955589 or e-mail bfwhospitals.nhs.uk" title="Send email to patient.relations@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk">patient.relations@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk.

Alternatively we have a patient stories programme, where you can share the experience you had informally on camera so we can play it back to the staff involved, so they can directly see and hear how their actions have affected you. Visual experiences are a very powerful learning tool and we share stories like yours in training sessions and in team meetings to help to reduce quality and safety issues from arising again. If you would be interested in doing this please contact Eleanor Walsh, Patient Engagement Lead on 01253 956374 or email Eleanor.Walsh @bfwhospitals.nhs.uk

Thank you for leaving your story here at Patient Opinion and once again please accept our apologies for the treatment you received.

Yours sincerely

Simone Anderton

Deputy Director of Nursing

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust