"Mixed experience of Emergency department"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Emergency department Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response

(as a relative),

My mum was taken in by ambulance as her catheter was blocked. 2 rapid control nurses tried at home but could not get it sorted. They called an ambulance and costal core came. The paramedic was professional, caring and Compassionate. He took mum to a&e. 

I then went and meet them. The staff at the admissions told me another patients information first, without listening to the details correctly. They then corrected them self and let me in.

I then found mum who was with the same paramedic who again was amazing. The nurse in charge was taking mums vitals and then sent her around to minors.

They said she would get pain relief which never happened.

Mum is registered blind. Alan took us round and handed over to a nurse. Then left. 

The nurse said they would be a few minutes. A couple hours past and nothing. I spoke to the nurse and they reluctantly apologised and said no one on shift was qualified for catheter change.

I then waited and asked again. The nurse then directed me to the nurse in charge. He was a little bit sharp and not understanding at first.

They then moved mum to room 4, where an new nurse took bloods and vitals. This nurse was understanding and kind.

She then said we have to wait. She explained they are short staffed. About an hour later an amazing doctor, come and sorted mum in 15 minutes.

He was professional, kind and helpful. He cared about patient first.

We then waited and another lovely nurse sorted out mums arm.

I dread to wonder of I wasn't there how mum would have been treated as she is registered blind and kept getting forgotten. 

I understand the NHS pressures but sometimes all it takes is clear communication and professionalism from some of the staff.

I can't thank the paramedic and doctor enough, but some of the other staff need to be more emphatic and show compassion.

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Responses

Response from Lynne Charlton, Director, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 2 years ago
Lynne Charlton
Director, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Director of Quality, Safety & Improvement

Submitted on 22/02/2022 at 15:37
Published on Care Opinion at 15:57


picture of Lynne Charlton

Dear browsertr77

Thank you for sharing your experience of our service. It was a pleasure to hear about how professional, caring and compassionate you found our paramedic Alan to be when he was caring for your mother. It means so much to our staff to hear about the experience of those who use our service, their families and carer's. We would like to share your valued feedback with Alan. In order to do so we would require a few more details, if you would be willing to provide a little more information please contact me directly at lynne.charlton@nias.hscni.net

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Response from Vi Gray, Professional Nursing Support , PCOP, Western Health & Social Care Trust 2 years ago
Vi Gray
Professional Nursing Support , PCOP,
Western Health & Social Care Trust

encourage people to share their experiences of health and social care, what matters to you, what you particularly liked or disliked so that we can share with the relevant department, and staff .

Submitted on 02/03/2022 at 14:21
Published on Care Opinion at 14:21


picture of Vi Gray

Hello browsertr77

Thank you for your feedback which was shared with the Lead Nurse Emergency Department. You have raised some issues about your mum's care. Would you be willing to get in touch with me to discuss this in more detail and I would be very keen to listen to any suggestions that you may have in order to help improve services.

Contact details are

vi.gray@westerntrust.hscni.net

Mobile number 07833402847 (mon - fri 9-5pm)

I do hope to hear from you

Best wishes to you and your mum

Regards

Vi Gray

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Response from Colleen Hamilton, Service Manager for Unscheduled Care, Emergency Department / AMU /ACU Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT 2 years ago
Colleen Hamilton
Service Manager for Unscheduled Care, Emergency Department / AMU /ACU Altnagelvin Hospital,
WHSCT

management duties

Submitted on 27/07/2022 at 18:32
Published on Care Opinion at 18:32


picture of Colleen Hamilton

Dear browsertr77

Firstly I would like to apologies for the time it has taken me to respond to you feedback. Thank you for taking time to post and voice your concerns.

ED as you have seen is a challenging environment not only for the able bodied person but even more so for those with physical or like in your mums case visual disability. We always encourage one family member to remain with a patient with a disability in an attempt to reduce the anxiety and improve the communication between patient and staff.

We would like our patients to be seen in a timely manner but due to increased demand on the service and congestion in the department lengthy delays of treatment have become a common issue, but one our hospital management are working hard to improve.

I am sorry that the nurse in charge was "sharp" but I am glad that a cubicle was sourced and you mum was cared for in an understanding and caring way by the receiving nurse and Doctor.

I will remind our senior nursing team that communication with patients and relative are integral to an improved patient journey.

Thank you again for taking the time to feedback your concerns and this will be discussed with our team.

Kind Regards

Colleen Hamilton

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Update posted by browsertr77 (a relative)

Hi Collette

Thanks for the response and taking the feedback on board. We are grateful for all the hospital does and understand the staffing issues and demands on the service. Thanks again

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