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AIBU?

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Original poster

Since when did playing music through speakers be OK on a hospital ward?

139 replies

Hateam · 21/04/2024 09:01

I'm at my wife's bedside on a neurology ward and twice now other patients have just put the speaker on their phone and played music.

The ward staff seem OK with this.

OP posts:
FoFanta · 21/04/2024 09:16

I'm pretty sure most of the staff are not okay with it. However, the staff have enough to be doing without teaching patients common courtesy.

You wouldn't believe how often you ask patients to be considerate of the other patients on the ward and either use headphones or take their calls to the day room or not do rowdy video calls with a million people on the middle of the night, to be met with a rude and negative response, and sometimes even a complaint made about you.

The sensory overload of trying to monitor a bay of sick patients, the lights, alarms, bells, listening to breathing, listening for sounds of pain, trying to have quiet conversations, other HCPs bellowing for the keys, is already overwhelming. Someone's shit quality tinny music playing through their phone on top is almost intolerable, but there isn't anything the ward staff can actually do.

I hope your wife gets better soon.

Loveskin2024 · 21/04/2024 09:14

In Japan it’s wonderful! It’s socially unacceptable to play loud music on trains etc

Original poster
Hateam · 21/04/2024 09:14

Loveskin2024 · 21/04/2024 09:12

I had this in the middle of the night on an induction ward whilst having labour pains. Asked for it to be turned down/off but the staff don’t like confrontation

I think that's the problem.

OP posts:
BlueMum16 · 21/04/2024 09:13

My DD was in hospital a while ago. We had others nearby using their phone on speaker phone so we heard both sides of all conversations and their child watch TV/films with no headsets.

There were several ill children on the ward who needed rest. Staff were too busy and didn't say anything. I believe many think staff don't get involved now for fear of arguments which they don't have time for.

Reallybadidea · 21/04/2024 09:13

Because in my experience the staff are just as bad. I'm a HCP and my breaks in the staff room are regularly disturbed by other staff members playing music, watching videos, making calls on speaker phone - often all at the same time!

Original poster
Hateam · 21/04/2024 09:13

I stunned that anybody can be this selfish or stupid or both.

OP posts:
Loveskin2024 · 21/04/2024 09:12

I had this in the middle of the night on an induction ward whilst having labour pains. Asked for it to be turned down/off but the staff don’t like confrontation

Mischance · 21/04/2024 09:11

That would drive me nuts!! The hospital needs to have a ban on this. Its bad enough being ill without having someone else's music rammed in your ears.

Original poster
Hateam · 21/04/2024 09:08

Yolo12345 · 21/04/2024 09:06

It's the same in buses, trains and even aeroplanes...

True.

But a hospital ward is surely different?

OP posts:
MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 21/04/2024 09:07

Speak to the staff. There’s no need to do that; really self absorbed and entitled. Or just say would you mind putting ear phones in as my wife needs to rest?

Original poster
Hateam · 21/04/2024 09:06

My polite request was met with scorn.

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 21/04/2024 09:06

Not acceptable. Just tell the staff.

Yolo12345 · 21/04/2024 09:06

It's the same in buses, trains and even aeroplanes...

OnlyYellowRoses · 21/04/2024 09:05

Its not ok. It's extremely self entitled and anti social. Ask them to put headphones in?