Share review of Milton Keynes Hospital

Milton Keynes Hospital 2018-10-06 Person 1 5 0

I am writing this on behalf of my mother who was admitted to A&E on Thursday 5 October. She had been discharged the day before but was still unwell. We waited over 4 hours in A&E from 18.30 - 23.45. During that time a nurse was unable to take blood so said a doctor would do it. He arrived 2 hours later and I tried to explain her history (she has alzheimers) he snapped that he was only taking blood and did not need to know. I asked why she was admitted and he said told me, without making eye contact. I asked the senior nurse to clarify and she said mum's heart rate was fine and sepsis check was just a precaution. The doctor threw down the needle and vials in his temper, as he was clearly wrong, and told the nurse to deal with it, referring to us, before stomping off. This was Dr Armit Gherra. The nurse, who was professional and calm throughout, was Elinor Fox. We had to sit on the floor for the first 2 hours as there were no chairs available, and mum didn't get a pillow for 2 hours either. Just before mum was allocated a bed in ward 1 it was explained to us that as she was a discharge failure the A&E staff would not treat her, she would go straight back to her previous medical team - if so, why did a nurse and a doctor try to take blood?? - which, incidentally, was never followed up and taken and why was this not explained when we first arrived? Something should be said to Dr Gherra about his attitude. None of us want to be there, and whilst we understand that they are very busy and probably tired, there is no justification for his behaviour. We stayed courteous throughout even though it was very distressing for mum as she needs an air mattress and pillows either side of her to keep her in place. My husband and I had to keep repositioning her in the bed as she slipped down and sideways. Over 4 hours was a long time for her to be left in those conditions, given her alzheimers. The nurse was very good, as was the nurse who was helping her, Michelle. They should be congratulated on providing the best care they could under the awful circumstance of a very full department. The doctor could take a leaf out of their book, he is a disgrace and I would never want to be treated by him. I will certainly make this known to as many friends and relatives as I can.