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"Colne Ward - CCU total disarray"

About: The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre

My Nan was taken into Colne Ward CCU after suffering a heart attack. Initially she was admitted into A&E resuscitation and then taken across to the Cardiotheracic centre for an emergency 'stents' procedure. After first being given incorrect information in regards to what ward she would be taken to we eventually found her on Colne Ward after various stroppy members of staff struggled to locate her. Still we contented ourselves that as long as her care was good, our problems were not important. However after 4 days now and with Nan suffering a further 3 heart attacks it is clear that conditions in the Critical Care Unit at Colne Ward are shambolic to say the least. Visiting hours have been changed from those shown on the website and a paper note stuck on the door to the ward so instead of 7am to 10pm it is now 2pm to 8pm. We have been told to expect the worst after the further heart attacks yet updates are very poor and often the nurse sitting at the end of the bed is stating that they do not know anything or they have just come on. What is the point of handovers? Two relatives (Nan's Daughter and Son) have been given a room next to Colne ward due the severity of Nan's condition and were told that they could come in and out briefly outside the normal visiting hours but every time they attempt to enter the ward the door is locked and no one answers the buzzer! Yesterday morning after spending the night at the hospital and receiving no updates by 11am, my wife phoned the ward and after being first being interrogated regarding her identity was given an update (of sorts) which we passed on to Nan's daughter and son in the room next door!! A trial was given to Nan to keep her temperature low and has since been abandoned and now they have a hot air blower constantly on her.. We have kept calm and polite to the nursing staff as we respect it is them that have Nan's life in their hands but we do not have a clue what is going on and to be honest it is like the nursing staff do not either. Some are pleasant but a lot are stroppy at a time when we at our lowest. This is a complete change fro how things are done at Papworth Hospital where staff are compassionate, show empathy and answer all questions with confidence and knowledge. I know this first hand because I was in Papworth Crittical Care Unit after major heart surgery. Come on Basildon please sort things, you are dealing with our loved ones life and death situations and we deserve to be treated and spoken to with respect. Send your nurses to Papworth if you don't believe me and allow them to see Care at its best.

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Responses

Response from The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre 7 years ago
The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre
Submitted on 29/12/2017 at 12:53
Published on nhs.uk at 13:32


We apologise that our response did not appear on this site at the time your comments were posted, and apologise for the distress caused to your family.

Please be assured your comments were shared with the senior management team at the time.

We understand the visiting times were changed on the ward and posters have been displayed to advise of this change.

The ward has also advised that due to new cardiac monitors being fitted, visitors were required to leave the ward for longer period of time, for which they apologise.

We understand you subsequently contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service/Complaints Team to investigate in detail your concerns about your Nan's care and treatment in the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre.

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