Being bullied at hospital.

debsue

I have worked in the NHS for over 30 years, both as a nurse and currently as a midwife. when I read stories like this it makes me so sad, especially for the OP. The stress you are under just having the treatment is enough without this added. I think you should telephone the manager or lead nurse and ask her to see you whilst you are having the treatment. tell him/her about your concerns. I am sure you will be taken seriously and they will try their best to help you. I always treat my patients as if they are my family and how I would like my family to be cared for, It costs nothing to be nice to someone and staff should always leave their own problems at the door. I wish you well and I really hope this is sorted for you x

lostinrates

OP, you are not alone. I know I have seen and experienced this 'not to be challenged' attitude and I have to say I have never found PALS that helpful tbh. I don't bother anymore.


There are some really excellent nurses and doctors out there, but the ones who listen rather than tell you how it is and disagree with you about how you feel is really unsettling.

Polmop

I would film, it doesnt matter about the legalities if it proves your case

zaksmum

My father experienced dreadful treatment in hospital just prior to his death at the age of 85.

We had kept a diary detailing this beside his bed which each of us, his four children, added to at the end of each visit.

On days where dad had suffered badly, the pages had been ripped out and his hospital notes might well have been for a different patient.

I could go on - I could write a book about how my dad suffered in that hospital at the hands of so called health professionals.

We complained at the highest level. My dad had begged us to, so nobody else should suffer as he had done.

At a meeting with hospital chiefs, we were furious to discover dad's notes had been altered so much it looked like we were making the whole thing up and so of course we had no way of proving otherwise. They all stuck together and just kept on lying.

They even said dad had GAINED weight in the 9.5 weeks he was in there when in fact he'd gone from 11 stone to five stone and was like a living skeleton. They'd put him on thickened fluids only and banned us from feeding him.

It was a nightmare for us all, especially our poor dad.

Complain NOW, OP. Make notes and try to get the hospital administrator to sign them as a true record of your treatment.

We complained the whole time dad was in hospital to no avail but I would be a hell of a lot more forceful now than I was then.

Are you sure there's nobody who can complain on your behalf OP? If not definitely get in touch with PALS as others have said.

koalamummy

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

Sorry for the rubbish link but about halfway down this page there is a tiny bit of info on the new advocacy service that NHS England is now obliged to provide. They may be worth contacting if PALS are being less than helpful.

From_St_Neots

Go on the CQC (Care Quality Commission) website, print off an appropriate document and Read it in full view the next time you visit.

If that doesn't get them thinking then they need reporting.

DUKE

I agree with you totally about the nurses IHD! Don't get me wrong some of them are really lovely & I don't know what I'd do without them. However, some spend their time saying it's not their job which don't help when you want your catheter changed & they're in the middle of ordering a take away, or going for a fag. Or when you've been at the hospital for 2 hours waiting to see the Oncologist, another 2 waiting for them to make your chemo up, another hour having chemo, then when your drip starts beeping to say that you're done, they're sitting hiding behind their computer screens eating chocolates & waiting to see who else will see to you to save them having to get up off their lazy **ses. So do whatever you can to prove your point, whether it's through PALS, filming them, or contact your MP. Good luck & let us know how you get on.

LottieLou

Like debsue said above, I am so saddened to hear about experiences like yours and zaksmum's. It is completely inexcusable. Definately write down everything that is happening, when it occurred and names if you can. I also agree that it would be good to ring the unit and ask to speak to the manager to arrange a meeting as you have had concerns for a period of time that are not improving.

Speaking to PALS is also a very good idea, they are there for you and if you asked for a meeting with the unit manager and it is not arranged they can help with that. Please don't sit there in pain, is there a call bell? could you have it in your hand and press it until they listen i really hope this gets sorted for you, good luck.

choccymoose

Definately go to PALS and also is the unit linked to a main hospital. When my father was recently given an elephant dose of Methadone instead of Pethadine it was the hospital Matron who had to follow it up. Although we still do not have an outcome we are happy with and the 2 nurses concerend in the overdose have been suspended pending enquiry she is the one that we have to deal with.

Newly_retired

MIL aged 95 is currently in hospital and last week experienced appalling neglect and mis treatment. DIL complained but nothing changed. This week Sister is back in charge and agreed that what has happened is "outrageous".
She is very supportive and promised the hospital will pay for lost dentures, hearing aids....
Also DH was lied to by a hospital Social Worker who rang him to arrange discharge, without it being signed off by the consultant, or
home care package being in place.
I know not all NHS workers are like this but it makes you despair.