Hospital visit

 

Dear ward 15 Wansbeck Hospital

I attended Wansbeck Hospital ward 15 on 6^th July 2023 for a key hole hernia operation.

After 12 years at sea I spent 32 years in an emergency service, 26 years as middle management.

I know the effects of reduced station capability, station closure, budget cuts, and staff cuts.

The Wansbeck hospital had been degraded from A&E with the new build at Cramlington.

The media including the BBC are castigating health service staff for unrealistic pay demands.

Junior doctors, consultants, and nurses have all balloted for industrial action. I had grave misgivings about my proposed treatment and was pleasantly surprised.

We left home far too early to avoid traffic delays and arrived at the hospital over an hour early. Better to sit in the waiting room than the car, we entered the waiting room before any staff. Before we sat down, staff arrived, and asked us to take a seat. Before I got my coat off I was called to the desk, where I was booked in. On completion told to take a seat. As I sat down I was called to the desk and told I would be escorted to my bed. A nurse arrived led me away leaving Kathy to discus procedures with the receptionist, She was very pleasant, courteous and informative .

At the bed I was shown the locker and my chair, informed a nurse would be along shortly. Before I managed to fold my coat up the nurse appeared ( forgot her name,) she checked the records, who I was, secured the wrist band and tested, blood pressure, pulse and took a blood sample. She gave me the highly fashionable surgical gown and socks , instructing me how to fit them. The next patient arrived , also early. Most organisations with early or outside time limits would have been in meltdown or abusive. All staff were extremely helpful and put our minds at rest. I had time to catch up on a book.

The next visit was from two very pleasant nurses to check the wrist band, was who I was , and it concurred with the paper work. They gave me paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief.

The next visit was the Anaesthetists to explain the procedures, check all was fit for anaesthetic. She was extremely helpful and courteous.

Final visit was the consultant Lorna Dunn with Rachael her assistant. After a short inspection and some marking on the skin, She explained the procedure and the possible complications, such as the hernia may require more evasive surgery if key hole was not possible . Rachael the assistant smiled broadly and nodded vigorously  when Doctor Dunn said she would do her best and was confident she could do it. Clearly these two worked well as a team and both competent, and confident with the others capability. Very rest assured.

After a short while I was wheeled into a room, checked who I was and what I was in for then wheeled into the operating theatre. The Anaesthetist explained again what was going to happen, as did Dr. Dunn. Then painlessly off to sleep.

Waking was slow I could hear a soft spoken voice calling my name and asking if I was awake. Slowly the mist cleared and Brian was smiling and asking if I wanted pain relief. I didn't but he was insistent until the effects wore off. He eventually realised that I still did not need pain relief and helped me drink some water. The first thing you see in the world is a smiling Brian willing to help, makes you think life is good and worth living.

After tea and biscuits the passing of water I was allowed to leave, Met Kathy in the passage way, an embrace of relief, and left the ward without a backward glance, or thank you.

Respect can not be expected, ordered, or demanded it can only be given. All staff treated me with respect and utmost courtesy. All staff and management of the ward deserve the respect I have for them.

Thank you

Derek Goggin (pensioner)

PS please do not feel obliged to reply, I would hate to think I was wasting any of your precious time. Please thank all the staff, and the ones I did not see like the Cleaners, porters, admin and logistics that made the system work so well.

Thank you again