Miss Clare Rees 2022-04-28 Person 5 5 0

My son appreciated the ability to ask questions of Miss Rees. She gave honest responses, not sugar coating the first few days which in fact has been better than she outlined pain-wise, so an immediate 'win'. On the day she came to see my son twice: firstly in the morning to ask if he had any questions, then secondly post operatively to outline what she had found, seen and then how she had sought to remedy this surgically. She also gave pointers on how to manage the next few days post operatively, and importantly if something did not go accord to plan. So for Miss Rees, and her team I could not fault it. The anaesthetist also came to see my son to see if he had any questions prior to the event. The way in which the EMLA cream had been put on the backs of the hands with sufficient time to work and the expert way in which my son was distracted whilst the anaesthetist put the canular in the back of his hand was exemplary - he did not notice. However, the nurse we met at the start of the day spent time complaining about the Lindo Wing Administrator saying the LW never gave them (eg I guess the Paediatric Ward in QEQM building) any notice about private patients coming in which I did not feel was appropriate in the circumstances, despite her obvious frustration. My son post operatively was kept in Recovery for two hours whilst his heart rate settled - his pulse was very low post the op. He was encouraged to drink water, which he did and an ECG was done. He continued to drink water. He ate that day at 06.50 and did not eat again until after 19.00. He drank water until 11.00 that day and then on Miss Rees' recommendation when she saw him pre opreatively, she said he could have some water then as he was not being operated on in the next hour, so he did. His last sip of water was at 12.30 and he did not have any liquid until c17.30. We went back to the ward at about 18.30. He drank 8 glasses of water over the course of the next 4 hours but still his hear rate was low. He has another ECG at I think c 22.00 and once the duty doctor had reviewed this we were allowed to go home, leaving at 23.50. Alasdair was offered a sandwich by the nurse just before the shift change, which he ate. I gave him some fruit which I had brought with me. I was offered a cup of tea just before the shift change at 20.00. We arrived at 11.00 and although I was shown the water dispenser and I had the opportunity to go downstairs and find sustenance whilst the 45 min operation took place at around 16.00, I was not offered anything to eat whilst with my son on the ward until 21.30 when the nurse showed me where the pantry was, and offered to make me toast. This same nurse, Maryam, kindly offered me a snack box but as it was dependent on the porters bringing it, it did not arrive by the time we left just before midnight (understandably so at this time of night) as porters were few on the ground. I should re-iterate Alasdair received tip-top medical care, it was ward experience that was more tricky and I only mention this really in terms of my ability to offer my son continued care at home, and his dehydration which might have been able to be lessened resulting in a shorter recovery and not a requirement for two ECG assessments post operatively. I should add that we are VERY grateful for the medical care in light of how he presented. Thank you.