Here’s a run down on what it’s like staying in the L&D hospital, or more specifically my exciting, rip rawing life here in the Surgical Assessment Unit!
The nice bits:
- So nice being looked after by staff who are from many different countries and cultures. They are a special group of people and it is hard to imagine how the hospital would cope without them. This is in line with my pro-EU stance although I am concerned we are inadvertently taking staff away from the needs in their own countries.
- The food is actually pretty good! I’ve never had hospital food before and it’s much nicer than I expected. There’s a menu giving a choice that means you can go several days and having something different each time. It is always served warm and with very clean cutlery and hand wipes.
- My ward, or rather the bay within the ward has six beds and we’re all men.
- My bed is really comfortable and has a remote control so I can easily sit up or lie flat as well as raising and lowering the whole bed. Not too hard or soft, just right. The bedding is changed daily which is just as well as the plastic mattress makes me feel a bit sweaty.
- I’m being well looked after here by the staff. I’m getting regular blood pressure and temperature checks, offers to wash me and strictly monitoring my fluids going in and out.
- I’m able to push my drip and catheter stand up and down the corridor and the staff are pleased with me for doing this. I have been given some non-slip socks to stop me slipping over and help keep the floor polished.
- Visiting times are pretty flexible, nobody seems to mind Rachel coming and going outside the set times. I make sure she behaves herself here!
The not-so-nice bits:
- The Doctor’s Ward round seems a bit rushed and I’d sometimes like a bit more time to learn more about what’s going on.
- Yesterday I had an ultrasound scan and the appointment was sent to my home address. The staff here knew nothing about it until I told them (my wife sent through a photo of the letter). A porter took me for the scan and didn’t return to take me back. I was stranded in a cold area with my health care assistant who was unable to take me back (because of weekend procedures). Eventually it was sorted and I got pretty cold in the meantime.
- A blood test which the Doctor requested didn’t happen and I think this might mean I’m here a bit longer.
- Some night shift staff don’t seem quite so attentive as their daytime counterparts. Some are excellent, however, in looking after me.
- At night time it is a bit noisy with my bed being near to the door, when I’m trying to sleep and too bright with corridor lights shining at me. When I asked for a curtain to be pulled across it was done without question.
- Some confusion over when I was being discharged from hospital and being told different things by different people.
- The patient entertainment system (Hosperia) is expensive and crap. Might do a separate review post on this.
- There’s no Wi-fi. Why not in this day and age?