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Community Services - Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2013-11-16 Person 3 5 0

I was admitted to Great Western hospita, Swindonl. My experience within the A&E department was excellent. The staff were caring and completed many relevant tests and examinations, treating me with dignity and respect. I was admitted to Linnet Ward where the night staff were also excellent, caring and respectful. Problems started as I was about to be discharged and the following 7 hrs were a nightmare. At 8.45am I was informed by the doctor that I could go home. My friend came to collect me at 9.30am to be told I had to wait until after lunch for discharge procedures and medication from pharmacy. At 11.15am a nurse asked if I wanted lunch. Before I could reply, another nurse said that I was being discharged. So I went to the toilet and on returning the nurse gave me my coat and hand bag and "bundled" me down the corridor to a depressing waiting room with uncomfortable chairs. I remained in this room until 15.45pm! I was given no information despite my verbal requests regarding when I could go home. At 14.15 a nurse told me that the doctor had only just signed the medication forms which would then be sent to pharmacy. I was told I had a further wait of half an hour, or I could go home and return for the medication latyer. When I informed her that I did not feel able to drive, the nurse offhandedly told me that my husband should drive me. I informed the nurse that had she read my notes she would have known that my husband was an invalid, and I his full time carer. 15.00 when I became very upset after several hours of waiting (I still felt very poorly and had a severe headache with significant sensitivity to light and sound, which was the reason for my visit in the first place) I spoke to another nurse who finally sorted the medication out and gave me the medication at 3.30pm I sincerely hope that this is a one off experience but have since heard I am not alone. Great Western Hospital needs to urgently look at their discharge procedures and provide a comfortable waiting area with food and beverage available to purchase, and a much reduced waiting time for people to get home.