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having an invasive procedure due to staff shortage

Posted By Gwilym

"having an invasive procedure due to staff shortage"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Speech and Language Therapy Crosshouse Hospital / Stroke Care

(as a carer),

My husband suffered a stroke at the end of November. He was taken to Crosshouse University Hospital in Ayrshire. Scotland  and was admitted to the acute stroke unit.

The staff have been wonderful with him, understanding the challenges he faces and helping him feel reassured. Unfortunately, after a couple of days in hospital (on a Monday) it became apparent he was choking and he was immediately put on nil by mouth and a speech therapy assessment was requested. Speech therapy department, like every other dept in the hospital, are carrying a heavy caseload, so said it might be Tues before he was seen.  On Tues I was told he probably would not be assessed till Thurs or more likely Fri but a nasal gastric tube could be inserted, as all he had at that point was a drip for hydration.

If this procedure had been necessary for his health I would have agreed but to carry out an invasive procedure because staff shortages are delaying a diagnose and treatment is just so wrong . The effects on my husband’s mental health could have been quite bad as he was already confused, weepy, pulling out his cannula and thinks he was being kept in hospital as a punishment for something wrong he has done.    

I felt so strongly about this that I have made a formal complaint to Ayrshire and Arran Health Board  and I would not hesitate to involve the media if that is what it takes to help this man get the assessment he needs for to aid his recovery 

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 5 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 12/12/2019 at 16:14
Published on Care Opinion at 16:14

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear Gwilym,

I am so sorry for you and your husband's distress. It is really distressing and frustrating watching on helplessly when a loved is in hospital.

Thank you for the lovely comments about his care.

I am sorry that you have had a mixed experience. You have said you have made an official complaint about this and you are absolutely within your rights to do so. The next step will be that your complaint will be investigated thoroughly and you will receive feedback about the outcome.

I do hope you get the answers and help that you seek and that your husband is recovering well,

best wishes,

Eunice

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Response from Christine Somerville, Senior Charge Nurse, Ward 3E/F - Acute Stroke Unit, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 5 years ago
Christine Somerville
Senior Charge Nurse, Ward 3E/F - Acute Stroke Unit,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Submitted on 29/12/2019 at 10:15
Published on Care Opinion at 10:15

Dear Gwilym,

Thank you for the lovely feedback in relation to the care your husband received within the stroke unit. The staff will be delighted to read this.

I am very sorry for the delay to assessment of your husband's swallow. Where nursing staff identify any problem with swallow it is essential that a full assessment is undertaken by Speech and Language Therapists (SLT). Without this there is a risk of harm due to food or fluid entering the lung.

Our SLTs colleagues are the experts in swallow assessment. Nursing staff immediately make a referral to ask for their assessment. Unfortunately they had significant pressure on their service and this resulted in a delay for your husband's assessment to be undertaken. As a team we were raising the delays daily at our safety HUDDLE.

I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for your husband and for your family during this time. This is not the standard we want to deliver to patients and your feedback has been used to allow us to try and reduce any delays. As a team we don't want to undertake any invasive procedures unless assessment has indicated they are required.

Thank you again for providing your feedback.

Best Wishes,

Christine

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