Conquest Hospital
Feedback Rating
Based on 141 reviews
Leave your Feedback
Reviews (141)
Inadequate pain control by senior nursing
Orthopaedics
July 4, 2015
Hi
I was admitted to the Devas trauma and orthopaedics ward June 17 2015 for complex
Foot/ankle surgery. I cannot fault the care I received from, the surgical team, the healthcare assistants and other support staff such as the cleaning and catering team during my stay on the ward. The room I was in was spotless and I was very comfortable. Sadly the care I revived from the senior nursing staff is in my view inadequate. And has caused me on going distress.
During my pre op assessment I was told I would be in severe pain post surgery and it would be paramount that this was bought under control and I would not be discharged until they had the pain under control. I was told to never wait until pain was unbearable otherwise it would be too late and unable to get it under control creating a vicious circle. I was clearly told to make sure I asked for pain relief and not be afraid to ask and that I would be sent home with a pain relief management plan.
Post surgery it took the recovery team a lot longer than usual to get the pain under control but once it was manageable I went back to the ward. The pain block on my foot/leg was working and although in pain it was manageable. The night staff were brilliant and very attentive and I felt very supported. Early the next morning the block wore off and I was in increasing amounts of pain, feeling sick and shaky. The health care assistants were brilliant and when I ran they came and went to ask senior staff for my pain relief. I can only remember seeing a senior nursing staff member a handful of times who simply passed me my pain relief nothing more. Despite the pain relief given not being enough when asking for more the healthcare assistants told me the sister said I wasn't due any more for a couple more hours. This happened on more than three occasions during a six hour period and not once did a senior nursing staff member come to see me to ask how I was or gauge my pain or explain what I was using and when and what could happen if that wasn't working. I know from previous experience that if my pain relief wasn't working they can refer to a doctor for what could be given but I wasn't in a fit state to question them. I saw a Physio around 9.30 am and had a practice with crutches which I managed but after was very shaky and all the time being in considerable pain still feeling nauseous. At 11.00 am a occupational health visitor came to see me bringing a frame to take home for the toilet and she told me , seemingly a bit embarrassed, that I was ready for discharge despite no senior nursing staff coming to see me to assess me knowing the pain relief they were giving me wasn't enough as I was asking for more , or asking my situation at home or who was picking me up ! It was obvious that they wanted me discharged as soon as possible Yet without any due care and attention to my needs !
I message my friend who rang the ward said she couldn't come until 5.00 which was OK for them. I spent the next six hours trying to sleep but still in considerable pain and on three occasions when I asked for more pain relief the health care assistant told me the sister said I had to wait for 2 more hours .
When my friend came at five the lovely health care assistant gave her all my medication, discharge paperwork telling her that if any concerns to ring the ward and helped us coming down to the entrance . Again we didn't see a senior member of nursing staff and wasn't asked about my home situation which I was alone for the first night then with my 10 year old daughter and 12 year old son. My friend so kindly came to help three times daily for first few days.
I have been unable to manage the pain since the pain block wore off after surgery and am still on the sofa day and night as can't sleep because of the pain then try and doze during the day.
I feel seriously let down by the senior nursing staff on the ward during the day of June 18th 2015 and feel I shouldn't have been discharged until my pain was under control. They should have come and spoken with me at least once to explain the pain relief and referred to a doctor when it was clear it wasn't working.
This lack of care was avoidable and I want this to be addressed so that it won't happen again and that no one else should suffer when it is easily remedied .
I was admitted to the Devas trauma and orthopaedics ward June 17 2015 for complex
Foot/ankle surgery. I cannot fault the care I received from, the surgical team, the healthcare assistants and other support staff such as the cleaning and catering team during my stay on the ward. The room I was in was spotless and I was very comfortable. Sadly the care I revived from the senior nursing staff is in my view inadequate. And has caused me on going distress.
During my pre op assessment I was told I would be in severe pain post surgery and it would be paramount that this was bought under control and I would not be discharged until they had the pain under control. I was told to never wait until pain was unbearable otherwise it would be too late and unable to get it under control creating a vicious circle. I was clearly told to make sure I asked for pain relief and not be afraid to ask and that I would be sent home with a pain relief management plan.
Post surgery it took the recovery team a lot longer than usual to get the pain under control but once it was manageable I went back to the ward. The pain block on my foot/leg was working and although in pain it was manageable. The night staff were brilliant and very attentive and I felt very supported. Early the next morning the block wore off and I was in increasing amounts of pain, feeling sick and shaky. The health care assistants were brilliant and when I ran they came and went to ask senior staff for my pain relief. I can only remember seeing a senior nursing staff member a handful of times who simply passed me my pain relief nothing more. Despite the pain relief given not being enough when asking for more the healthcare assistants told me the sister said I wasn't due any more for a couple more hours. This happened on more than three occasions during a six hour period and not once did a senior nursing staff member come to see me to ask how I was or gauge my pain or explain what I was using and when and what could happen if that wasn't working. I know from previous experience that if my pain relief wasn't working they can refer to a doctor for what could be given but I wasn't in a fit state to question them. I saw a Physio around 9.30 am and had a practice with crutches which I managed but after was very shaky and all the time being in considerable pain still feeling nauseous. At 11.00 am a occupational health visitor came to see me bringing a frame to take home for the toilet and she told me , seemingly a bit embarrassed, that I was ready for discharge despite no senior nursing staff coming to see me to assess me knowing the pain relief they were giving me wasn't enough as I was asking for more , or asking my situation at home or who was picking me up ! It was obvious that they wanted me discharged as soon as possible Yet without any due care and attention to my needs !
I message my friend who rang the ward said she couldn't come until 5.00 which was OK for them. I spent the next six hours trying to sleep but still in considerable pain and on three occasions when I asked for more pain relief the health care assistant told me the sister said I had to wait for 2 more hours .
When my friend came at five the lovely health care assistant gave her all my medication, discharge paperwork telling her that if any concerns to ring the ward and helped us coming down to the entrance . Again we didn't see a senior member of nursing staff and wasn't asked about my home situation which I was alone for the first night then with my 10 year old daughter and 12 year old son. My friend so kindly came to help three times daily for first few days.
I have been unable to manage the pain since the pain block wore off after surgery and am still on the sofa day and night as can't sleep because of the pain then try and doze during the day.
I feel seriously let down by the senior nursing staff on the ward during the day of June 18th 2015 and feel I shouldn't have been discharged until my pain was under control. They should have come and spoken with me at least once to explain the pain relief and referred to a doctor when it was clear it wasn't working.
This lack of care was avoidable and I want this to be addressed so that it won't happen again and that no one else should suffer when it is easily remedied .
