Dear ward 15 Wansbeck
Hospital
I attended Wansbeck
Hospital ward 15 on 6th 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
