Share review of Victoria Hospital

Victoria Hospital 2017-03-14 Person 1 5 0

My partner contacted Oncology Dept in the morning to ask if she could re-arrange the collection of my treatment (tablets) to coincide with an MRI scan I needed to attend. She spoke to the Sister (Diane) who was quite ignorant on the phone, not giving her name (until directly requested by my partner), nor advising that I would need to have some bloods done PRIOR to attending! She did however, confirm a different/more acceptable appointment time. I attended my MRI scan and then went to collect my tablets - to be informed that the Oncology Dept had contacted Bispham Hospice (twice) asking where I was, as I had missed my scheduled appointment; also, I needed to have bloods taken; therefore, I would be waiting at least 1 hour whilst they were processed, etc! This totally defeated the purpose of my partners' telephone call to the Dept early in the day. As if we had known, I could have had my bloods taken before attending the MRI scan - therefore limiting my time in the hospital. Over an hour later, I was then informed that my tablets had NOT been dispensed by the pharmacy and I had to wait. I was in the Oncology Dept for 2.5 hours in total, when I should have been there for a 15 minute appointment! I have limited life expectancy and do not wish for this farce to be repeated either to myself or any other patient....as we all have better places we would rather be! ***Suggestions for improvement: - (1)There was obviously a significant breakdown in communication, which I feel needs to be urgently addressed! My partner mentioned that I had last had bloods taken last Wednesday, at no stage did Diane inform her that that was unacceptable and further bloods would be required....this is BASIC information and as such I would expect a person, not least, in the position of 'Sister' to inform a patient/ relative of the same?; (2) Why had no-one checked that the treatment was on their Dept ready for collection? Surely, as routine, one of the first jobs every morning needs to be that ALL meds that are to be collected that day are available and ready for collection?