The state of our hospitals.
 

At the request of our Doctor, an ambulance picked my wife and Myself up at half past six last Friday evening, when we arrived at Blackburn A and E my wife was put in a wheelchair and I had to sit on the floor beside her for the next five hours; She was ultimately put on a trolley and moved along with more than a dozen others to "Corridor Care", (I kid you not), it is actually signed as such ! but at least they did give a plastic chair to sit on.
there were patient's in this (so called Corridor Care with Catheters in their arms connected to drips etc.
When I asked at the nurses station after waiting for more than twelve hours how long will it be before my wife sees a Doctor ? We have been waiting for over twelve hours, One young (smart----) male Medic said (Quote), twelve hours) is that all ? we have had patients waiting much longer than that.
My wife was finally seen by a Doctor and was allowed home with medication at eleven thirty on Saturday morning, i.e. (SEVENTEEN AND A HALF HOURS AFTER WE ARRIVED)
We keep hearing from successive Governments that our National Health Service is "The Envy Of The World", How Long Ago Was That Then.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I know, it's awful & sadly your experience is far from an isolated one - we hear the stories but when you actually see it for yourself it's still unbelievable. Just before Christmas an elderly relative who has dementia was admitted to RBH, he was on a trolley in A & E for 2 days before he could be admitted on to an assessment ward & eventually on his fourth day in there was transferred to the ward where he was treated.
I hope your wife is feeling better now she's home

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I have had the unfortunate experience three times recently…not for myself, but for my husband who has serious heart issues.
I do not know how you can ensure privacy, dignity or confidentiality in these circumstances.
During one these visits I saw an elderly gentleman with dementia get off a trolley exposing himself because he had no pyjama bottoms on.
He was very unsteady on his feet….so a fractured hip waiting to happen.

It is lamentable and much of it is because people cannot get to see GPs.

Taddy I hope that Hazel is OK.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Many thanks for the above and yes she is feeling much better.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Thanks Marge, yes she is feeling much better. I am in the process of writing out an E-mail to the Chief Executive of the East Lancashire Health Authority, which you kindly supplied last year, whether it will do any good or not only time will tell but I am not holding my hopes up.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

The thing is Taddy, it will let him know of your experiences…and he needs to know when the service is failing.
So write to him…it might not help you, but it might help someone else.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Marge, I have attempted to get in touch with the Chief Exec with the E-mail address that you let me have but as you know I am more than "not very good" with this computer thingy and I am getting nowhere, do you have an address that I can send a letter to ? thank you in anticipation, Taddy.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Yes Taddy.
Send it to Martin Hodgson
Tower View Offices
Royal Blackburn Hospital
Haslingden Road
BB2 3HH.

I hope that helps.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Many thanks for that Marge

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Good luck with your letter, Taddy, but I bet it will prompt a “lessons have been learned” response.
Like any religion it requires blind faith to believe that the NHS, as exemplified at Blackburn hospital, is the envy of the world.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Last year I had to go to Blackburn A&E and was told there was a 24 hour wait to see a doctor after I fell and thought I had a suspected broken bone or I could just make an appointment for the next day

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I have had several run ins with the situation at the RBH
I e-mailed the Chief executive and I was contacted by someone from his team.
The chap who contacted me stayed in touch for a while until he could tell me what measures had been taken to solve my issues.

So while the situation remains one that is ‘too many people trying to get a service’ and until people can access GP services this will not change…I was responded to.

After another long stay in A&E I again contacted the CEO….again I was put in touch with someone who took my concerns very seriously(they were around the omission of vital medicines).

Now you might say that this is because this man knows I once worked at the RBH in a senior position…but I would hope that this is not the case.
I guess it might have something to do with how your letter is couched.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

The thing about these long waits and poor care in the A&E departments means that lots of people will avoid seeking help for serious health issues…this has to result in premature deaths for some.
The other thing is that there can be no confidentiality, no real dignity and care must be sketchy…in fact it cannot really be seen as care.

I have had a couple of really scary experiences. My husband has serious heart issues and on two occasions if I had not administered his vital medicines then he would not have received them…on one occasion I had to take myself up to the hospital to give him his meds…now how is that safe or ‘care’?

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its simple to me the hospital staff are no where near the state they once where they do NOT care any more for whatever reason,anyone thinks they are has lost the PLOT.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I have an appointment (3 year waited for) with a consultant on Monday about a gallstone, I'm adamant that I do not want an operation, I don't want to be cut open and have to stay in hospital. As far as I know there are other ways of removing gallstones than cutting me open.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

You need to discuss this at your appointment. Ask what is available and more importantly is effective.
I know that gallstones can be dissolved with drugs…but these take a long time to work and are not without side effects.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Well, it was explained extremely well to me what they can do, it's going to be a keyhole surgery and I'll be out the same day.
Apparently I'm showing symptoms that mean it may get worse as I get older and the chances of further complications as I am older could be worse.
So I'm booked to see someone (anethaputsyoutosleep) in a few weeks to see if I'm gonna be OK for it then apparently its only a 3 month wait, they do this op many times a day.
Looks like I may well be going to Blackburn...

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Glad you were given the full information you needed to make your choice.

Keyhole(laparoscopic) surgery is being done millions of times all over the world.
But when it is happening to you it is a different matter.

Yes you will get out of hospital the same day, but despite the little cuts, you have still had surgery and you need to be kind to yourself.
Plenty of rest, pain relief and food that you enjoy.
Rainbow Six, I wish you a speedy return to good health….and if Lettie sees your post she may have even better advice for you because she has had this procedure done….and told us about it.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I had this done 12 years ago, I had to have it as an emergency in the end as I developed Cholecystitis, was in agony and was bordering on septic. They removed it keyhole, I needed only Paracetamol for a day or so after, (although they did offer me something stronger, I just didn't need it), and was home the following morning after an overnight stay. The care was brilliant (at RBH), and I made an excellent recovery. I had the full 6 weeks off work at the advice of my GP, and have been so much better since. Good luck with your procedure and be kind to yourself after.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Lettie I think that will be really good for Raibow Six to hear.
There is nothing like a first hand account from someone who has ‘been there and done that’.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Sure is thank you.

I initially was of the opinion that if we were born with it then why would it be OK toi take it out but the doc told me that I can eat normally afterwards - that would be good as I'm sick of eating salads and would like to try a pizza again lol.

I plan initially to take a week off, the doc said I was to not drive for 2 weeks and not lift anything heavy for several months.
I don't lift anything heavy due to back issues anyway but as I only do light electrical work I should be fine.
I'll spend the week playing with my 3D printer instead, assuming I'm not writhing in pain.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

If you are in writhing pain then you need to seek advice from someone with letters after their name.
Initially you need to take pain relief regularly…every 8 hours.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are invincible and letting the pain get as big as a mountain…take something as soon as you feel uncomfortable.
That way you will move better and get better in good time.
Yes, you are going to get to enjoy the food that has been banned.

Enjoy the recuperation and have fun playing with your 3D printer.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I will be taking whatever painkillers I can :)

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

From Thursday last week I had to attend the "Rosemere Cancer Centre" at Preston Hospital, yes I have been diagnosed with the Old Chaps "Prostrate Cancer", luckily it has been discovered early and has every chance of being cured by Radio and Hormone Therapy.
The friendliness, dedication and willingness to help from all the staff is in stark contrast to what Hazel received at Royal Blackburn A and E a few weeks ago.
After attending every weekday for another three weeks, I will hopefully be able to "Ring the Bell" three times to say that my Radio Therapy is finished and that the Cancer Cells are gone or in remission.
The only downside is that I have been advised to leave my beloved "Hobgoblin" ale alone for the duration. (but I may sneak an odd one in order to keep my (spirits up), no
pun intended.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Taddy I hope you do well on your treatment.
Cancer is very scary.Treatment for cancer is very scary too.
I am pleased that they are looking after you well.
The situation with Rosemere is very different to the situation that Hazel met in A&E.
This is in no way to excuse poor treatment that she received.
A&Eis flooded with people, many of whom would not be there if they could get seen by a GP.
The Rosemere centre know each day how many patients they will have to deal with…A&E don’t.
As for the hobgoblin…if they have suggested that you do not drink, then it is for a good reason. It may interfere with the treatment you are getting…and you really do not want to make it harder for the treatment to do its job.
Lecture over.
Get well soon Taddy.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Many Thanks for that Marge.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Taddy, I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with this and I hope you have a quick and full recovery from it.

Be a good lad, do as you’re told, and leave the Hobgoblin alone until you get the all clear and then you can have two bottles to celebrate. It will be worth the wait.

Best wishes, get well soon.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I second Dorothy’s advice.
When you have completed your treatment you can celebrate with a whole pack of Hobgoblin if you want…you might need a lie down afterwards though.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Many thanks for the good wishes Dotti, as for leaving the "Hobgoblin" alone though, I shall have to give it some thought, I have been "Suppin" three or four pints of (REAL ALE) and only (REAL ALE. almost daily since I was 16 or 17 years old and I am now seventy seven years old, I have mentioned it at my Doctors Practice and to the staff at the "Rosemere Cancer Centre" and although they don't condone it they have agreed that it has not done me much harm, or, to quote my Father, "There is no such thing as a bad pint of Real Ale but some are better than others, as long as they are kept and served properly.
Thank you again for your good wishes.;);)

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

[QUOTE=Margaret Pilkington;1277451]I second Dorothy’s advice.
When you have completed your treatment you can celebrate with a whole pack of Hobgoblin if you want…you might need a lie down afterwards though.

As with Dotti, thank you for your concern Marge, I have knocked my consumption down a bit on the advice of the staff at "Rosemere", who as I explained in my post to Dotti have said that quote, "you do look well for your age but if you shave your beard and mustache off you will look 10 years younger", to which I replied, again quote, "I am waiting for a congratulations card from "Bonnie King Charlie" or "Just William", when I reach 100 years old, I will then have my first (full shave in 80 years) and will then only look ninety.
Again, Many thanks, I hope Dave is recovering well, stay healthy and happy, your (old) classmate Taddy.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Taddy my old feller would love a whisky and coke.
He is on medications which mean that he cannot have this.

He frequently asks Doctors if he can have a whisky and they tell him it is not advisable…but never say that he can’t.
I show him the information leaflet in the tablets…it says NO alcohol…so if the makers say NO….then he isn’t getting any

Oh yes and I am with the Rosemere crew who say shave off the face fungus..only monkeys and Alsatians should have hairy faces.

When David was in Blackpool having his heart surgery he did not shave for about ten days
I asked him to shave…..I face timed him one day and he still had a furry face so I did not bother to make the 6hour round trip by bus…if he could not shave, then I would not visit.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Marge I hope that you were having a Giraffe with the above comment, if not then I think that you were more than a bit out of order; The poor bloke had just gone through the Trauma of heart surgery and yet you were blackmailing him into having a shave. If Hazel ever tries a similar tactic with me I would leave my hair and whiskers uncut for the rest of my life.:D:D

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

No I was not having a laugh Taddy. Nor do I think I was out of order. I asked him to shave and look tidy…that he didn’t, meant that he did not care what I thought…or that is how it seemed to me.

If I can spend more than three hours (each way)travelling by public transport to get to Blackpool, then he can spend five minutes shaving his face. There was nothing wrong with his arms.
This was while he was waiting for his surgery…so he had had nothing done..had nothing to do either.
He knows that I do not like him looking like Worzel Gummidge and he looked like a tramp.

Taddy if you have been bearded for all of your married life then I take it that Hazel married you while you were bearded.

My feller was clean shaven when we met…had he not been I would not have gone out with him. That is just how it is.
I did not consider it to be blackmail..I considered it to be a trade off.
If he shaved and looked clean and tidy, then I would happily visit him. That is just how it is.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Oh and by the way Taddy David could have had a shave done by the barber who visited the ward on a daily basis.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

No Marge, I did not have a hairy beard or mustache when I first met Hazel as I was only 16 and Hazel was 14, the beard was a bet, (after we were married) when I was twenty years old, between me and four of my mates, a ten shilling wager as to who was the last to have a shave, I came second, and had to pay the winner, who is still my best mate and still has a beard as I have;);) and was the best man at my wedding, need I say more.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

So Hazel does not mind you being bearded.

I do not like my man with a hairy face. It does not look good on him…it does nothing for him, it doesn’t enhance him in any way….it just looks lazy(and dare I say it ‘unkempt?’).

How much energy does it take to have a shave? I was not asking my man to haul a ten ton truck, to carry coal….all I wanted was for him to look like he belonged to me. To spend five minutes having a shave…or getting the barber to do it.

I cannot think of any man who looks good with a beard…no…I can think of only one…
Santa Claus.
Beards do not do it for me…neither does stubble.
It makes me wonder why a man wants to hide his face.

I am quite prepared to step back and let those ladies who find beards attractive, have their pick.
I mean no offence to those men who have beards.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

So you want Dave to look like he "BELONGS" to you Eh, I dare say that if a man had said that about his wife he would have had the feminist's down on him like a ton of bricks saying no man can own his wife. but everyone to their own.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Taddy, when we married I took his name, I wear his ring which indicates that I belong to him…I thought that was what marriage meant.
Are you saying that him belonging to me is a bad thing? Or that me belonging to him is something that is wrong?
I am just asking out of interest.
Taddy, if he had not ‘belonged’ to me he would not be sitting opposite me right now…he would be in an urn on the sideboard.
With the greatest respect, you do not know the hurdles I have leaped for him…over the last 18 months I have gone into battle for him to get the medical care he needs(most of this is because I KNOW what he needs because of my past life)…why?
Because he belongs to me. If that concept offends you then I feel sad for you.

I hope most sincerely that you BELONG to Hazel in the same way.

Now I am going to do what Mick would have done and say this is a major thread wander and if you want to carry on this conversation it does not belong in this thread…start a new thread if you think it has legs

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

have to say i agree with margaret i have never had a beard never will.

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I'm just wondering if any of you have raised these issues with the CQC? The service was deemed inadequate in 2019 because of corridor care. It appears that this has not changed. It may be worth raising this with the CQC, especially with concerns about privacy, dignity and confidentiality.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

I have not raised it with the CQC…mainly because I hadn’t thought of it.
I did e-mail the Chief Executive.
But there has been no appreciable change.
I would resist having to go to A&E. it is not a place that is suitable for vulnerable patients who have no voice.
It is not the fault of the nursing team. I do not know how they manage their workload, or for that matter how they can ensure patient safety.

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

Thank you Lettie I have now bookmarked the details of contact for the CQC…and for those who would like the details here is a link.

https://www.cqc.org.uk/contact-us

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

So - today I went for my OP in Burnley Hospital.
The staff were brilliant, I had a bed on a ward where I got to go in 2nd place.
Woke up a few hours later minus a gall bladder, apparently it was not in the normal place and they had to search for it, luckily all done within the same keyhole rather than opening me up further.

Again the staff were brilliant, the facilities were good too.

I'm in very little pain (unless I prod it), however the surgeon was rather concerned about the size of my belly, thinking it was distended so was wanting to keep me in overnight at first, after a trip to a large mirror in the loo I managed to tell him that it always looks big (think beer belly).

Finally got out at 7pm ish.
Had to sit the mrs down and explain stuff to her and that the surgeon himself had prescribed me plenty of TLC and daily ingestion of chocolate.
Not too sure I'll get those but I had to try :)

Now for 2 weeks of leave whilst I recuperate.

Whilst I was there I managed to persuade a male nurse what 3D printer he needed, he's hooked I think :)

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Rainbow six…glad it all went well.
Take your time getting better….little cuts don’t mean the surgery was less serious….and make sure you top up the pain relief before the pain gets too ‘ouchy’.

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Oh I'm keeping up with the pain killers.
They are the only thing making it manageable now.

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OK so the hospital was brilliant care.
Outside not so well.

I changed my dressings yesterday as I was advised to leave them a while before so the steri strips did not get pulled off and on the biggest hole the wound has pulled apart a bit.
So I took a photo before I replaced the dressing.

I just want someone who knows to look at it and tell me if it's going well or if it needs pulling back together to prevent a horrible scar.

Can I find someone to do that can I heck, my doctors where I went for blood this morning send me to the hub in Rawtenstall - they said they do not do that so go to my doctors (currently in the telephone que) and I suspect they are going to tell me to try 111.

All I want is someone to look a a flippin picture and either go "ooooh thats bad" or "mmmm that's OK" and advise if I need to redo the stitches..
What a state our community care is in eh. :(

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I rang 111, had to go through hoops and whistles and forms and stuff, they arranged for a doctor to call me today.
If I cannot get them to look at a photo and give an opinion then I'll just have to leave it.

I'm not waiting at hospital for this, there is little point.
I'm not booking an appointment in a months time either lol

Re: The state of our hospitals.
 

OK all sorted now, Doctor called me, little discussion (he was not happy with receptions handling of this), I sent him a picture - he called back later.

I reapplied new steri strips pushing the skin down nicely and redressed it - job done, anxiety relieved.
So it appears not all of care in the community is broken, just the dragons on reception desks :)