Warwick Hospital

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-28 Person 4 5 0

A Week in Warwick Hospital The build-up On 10 August my wife Sally and I travelled to Sussex for a few days. On that night I awoke with a severe internal ache which then seemed to go away. But on the Friday, when we arrived back home, I was feeling very unwell. On the next day I went to the pharmacist and then, on Sunday, to A&E in Warwick. I thought it might be quiet but it was not. Eventually I saw a helpful doctor, who examined me and made out a prescription. She undertook that her notes would be communicated to our GP at Priory Medical Centre, Dr Courtenay-Evans. On Monday I went for a short walk and fell flat on my face. In retrospect I may have fainted briefly. Later that morning I began to shiver uncontrollably. An urgent appointment was made with Dr Courtenay-Evans, who sent us to the hospital with a note. He said that we should not enter but should telephone from the car park. He had received no details of my visit to A&E on Sunday. When we tried to telephone, many times, there was no reply from the number. We therefore entered A&E and handed over the doctor’s note, which was quickly lost. A wait of three and a half hours then began. When I tried to draw attention to my case I was met with instructions and gestures to get out of the main door and wait outside. Obviously the concern was infection. While waiting I was able to read the boards recording feedback reactions from patients about A&E. All the comments were paeans of praise. I raised my eyebrows. At no stage was there any indication of where I stood, or any recognition that this might be important to me. When someone did eventually come I was mildly rebuked for entering directly into A&E rather than waiting for the non-responding number. Anyway, I was in. But unhappy. Initial treatment I had a room on my own within A&E and my diagnosis and treatment began. This was all very well done. Dr Jessica Stafford informed me that I had a serious infection and that my readings were off the scale. Quite how long I could have lasted I do not know. My medical records showed no sign of my interview with the hospital doctor on the previous day. Nor of my GP’s note to A&E. Around midnight I was transferred to Avon Ward, an acute ward where I spent the next few days. After one night on a men’s ward I then had a room on my own (for reasons of possible infection) for a couple of days before going back to the 4-bed men’s ward. At a later stage I spent a night in Squire Ward. Subsequent treatment I have nothing but praise and thanks for the treatment I received. People at all levels fell to their tasks. They were patient, calm, cheerful (with one or two exceptions) and accommodating. They worked well as a team, from the consultants down. Dr Charlotte Littler was excellent in keeping me and Sally briefed. I was filled with antibiotics and other drugs, and also monitored and tested day and night. Two scans were efficiently carried out. The only wrinkle is that a urine analysis was never carried out, despite the sample brought from my GP and another provided in the ward. All this had its effect. I felt better by the day and my readings steadily improved. Non-medical aspects The general ambience was as good as it could reasonably be. The food was edible. The ward was well cleaned. Wifi reception worked, more or less – an important point. At night I would much rather have been somewhere else, but that goes with the territory in an acute ward, I suppose. The only exception was the shower facility. This was designed as a wet room, but without any obvious slope for drainage. It was apparent that the facility in Avon ward was used seldom, partly because it was full of furniture. It was so uninviting that I did not use it. After moving to Squire Ward I did use the shower, only to find that the water immediately spread across the room, threatening anything left on the floor. In order to use the shower facilities in Warwick Hospital you need to be fit and agile. The position of the patient Broadly, the patient is subordinate and powerless. He or she is likely to be weak, stressed and lying down. Things get done to you, with or without explanation. In this context you are not a customer and you are not treated as such. Quite the contrary. I was addressed in various ways, often by my first name but far too often as ‘Love’, ‘Darling’ and a host of other terms which I found patronising. This approach, which is pervasive across the hospital, did nothing for my blood pressure. Obviously it was acceptable to some patients, probably to most, but not to me. Senior management would be quite unable to change cultural defaults like that, despite all the rhetoric of respect. A friend who had raised the question of names with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) found that his complaint met with derision. I did look at the website of the CCG and was unimpressed. Its material is full of jargon, in particular the Communications and Engagement Strategy, which contains a note on ‘cultural competency’. I question whether the service has the cultural competency to engage effectively with traditionally minded older people – people who are comfortable with order, hierarchy and formality. Although the hospital is only a mile or so from where I live, it is culturally quite distant. Who’s in charge? To the outsider the management structure is opaque. It is not always easy to work out who is in charge. Many people wear badges saying who they are but others do not. It was only by coincidence that I came across the Ward Manager in Avon. I never knowingly met her counterpart in Squire Ward, although my stay was admittedly brief. There was a laughable sequel when I had been discharged from Squire Ward and was waiting for Sally outside the ward entrance. On the wall was a picture of the relevant Matron and her contact details. I subsequently sent her an e-mail with compliments on the treatment I had received on the ward. It emerged not only that she was nothing to do with the ward but that her picture had been taken down and then wrongly put up again. Nobody noticed or cared. Discharge At Squire Ward all went well and I received excellent support from Dr Nick Weight and the nursing team. Liaison between the discharge unit and the pharmacy is apparently a notorious pinch point, but one which was well negotiated for me. I emerged feeling quite well. Summing up Thank goodness we have the NHS. I emerged with great respect and gratitude for the staff and the job they are doing. I can’t imagine how we can afford the NHS drugs bill but there it is. The administrative and IT systems are something else entirely. Would I use the hospital again as an in-patient? The honest answer would be – only if I had to do so for medical reasons. To have my own quiet room and to be addressed as I would wish are things that I would happily pay for. David Howells 26 August 2021 4 Archery Fields Warwick CV34 6PQ NHS no 626 205 6882

See my report. Ask people what they want to be called, and abide by the answer.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-28 Person 3 5 0

Being told when I arrived I needed to do a wee sample. If this had been on the letter that a full bladder was required, fair enough, but nothing so wasn’t able to provide it. Also being informed “your very tall” four times, as if I’d grown over night! Would like to have replied “yes and your very small” but I was bought up correctly!

Going into the cubicle to see a sanitary towel on the floor (not used thank god!) just seemed very unclean. A bag of gown maybe each gown in its own bag would make it feel more sterile. Floor was dirty looking.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-27 Person 5 5 0

As a typical man, I was certainly not looking forward to undergoing a transperineal prostate biopsy, especially given past experience at a large teaching hospital in a neighbouring county. In the event, my experience at the Nurse-Led Urology Unit at Warwick Hospital could not have been bettered. Particular thanks to Julie, the Nurse Practitioner who performed the procedure with great skill and professionalism, keeping me informed throughout and taking care to preserve my dignity to the fullest extent possible in the circumstances; but thanks also to the other members of the team, whose kindly, yet respectful and professional, attitude greatly assisted in creating an atmosphere in which I was able to relax to a surprising degree. It would be an exaggeration to say that I was able to enjoy the experience (!) but, should I need to undergo this procedure again in the future, I would have absolutely no qualms about doing so.

A brief telephone consultation with an urologist or urology nurse practitioner, to inform me of the findings of the earlier MRI scan and to discuss whether or not biopsy was indicated, would have been appreciated. Having been referred on the 2WW pathway, and undergone MRI within 2/52, I was disappointed to have had to wait 8/52, until the biopsy appointment, to learn the assigned PIRADS score. Hopefully, a score of 1 or 2 would not have led automatically to biopsy without an earlier consultation of some kind.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

The physiotherapist was very pleasant. She took time to find out in detail the extent of my mobility, was not rushed and seemed interested in my welfare. I am quite happy to consult her again.

It would be good to have a room for the consultation instead of a screened off area of a ward. It didn't bother me but it would certainly be better.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

First Class treatment as usual by Dr Beadle, his nurse and his team. Donna the nurse particularly helpful and Dr Beadle sat on my bed and explained everything in detail, very comforting.

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Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

Sorted out the home times faster.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

Extremely good attention if hotel should be 4 star.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

What a fantastic team of caring understanding personable supportive people! Thank you for take such personal and of our family during this very special to me. We are cautious of naming staff for poor meaning someone. All excellent, attentive and knowing just what we needed./nWhen we needed it. Thanks to the nurses, Chim, { }, Katie, Lucy, Suei, Aiysha, Jodie, and catering team Sins, and many others I am sure!

The team went to extraordinary lengths to make surgery we did not feel the others of it being a very busy time. If seen on though secure, both in terms of staff and space would benefit from being.

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

Such friendly and helpful staff - lots of support with breastfeeding and other queries. A lovely 'vibe' allround!/nThank you.

Just a small blip with missing lunch, but that was electrified and not a huge problem at all!

Warwick Hospital 2021-08-26 Person 5 5 0

Nurses were excellent, very attentive and a pleasure always! Very clean! Compassionate and caring! (Nothing was ever too much at an ask).