NHS-Just had operation. Porter said this!!!!!

[IsAnybodyListening]

Recently had complex surgery following an accident, and I have been home a few days now. The more I think about this, the angrier I get. As not to drip feed this was basically the situation.

My consultant and surgeons were utterly fantastic with me. My last surgery was over 10yrs ago, unfortunately there were complications plus I developed an infection post surgery and became extremely ill. Due to this, they were aware how anxious I was to be going under anesthesia again and were incredibly understanding.

Whilst on the ward. I was nil by mouth. Surgery was postponed 3 times due to life and death situations which is completely understandable, however during this time I hadn't ate in 38hrs which I was OK with, however the first issue were Nurses kept refusing to give me fluid. They weren't listening to me that surgery was delayed and that I could have water up until a few hrs before going into theatre. By sheer luck the anesthetist happened to pop into my room for me to sign consent forms whilst I was begging for a drink and told the nurse to give me fluid.

By this point, I'm hungry, exhausted, unable to sleep as in pain and very thirsty and drained, also scared of pending surgery and when it might happen.

The porter came to wheel me to theatre. Just before going into the operating room she is making idle chit chat, and the surgeon comes out to see me and help wheel me in. The porter obviously doesn't know what I've been through, my history or anything about me, and for some bizarre reason declares in the most jovial tone ' Just remember when they knock you out, not to go to heaven when you're under'!!!!!!

The surgeon heard, and fair play to him he looked bloody furious with this comment.

Anyhow, I had surgery, it should have been 2hrs but was closer to 6hrs. Now I am home and recovering, I can't stop thinking about what she said RIGHT before I had a massive operation. Who says something so stupid?

Do I assume the surgeon would have raised it as he definitely heard, or should I go down the formal complaint route? It keeps playing over in my mind, that and my surgery didn't actually go as expected and involved more surgeons and hours than initially expected and since I woke up, I can't stop thinking about what she said. Death IS a risk with surgery. Why would a health care professional say something so utterly careless like that in such a serious situation?

If you managed to read all that, thanks. Not sure if this should be in AIBU or is it a more WWYD question?

I think you would be really OTT to complain about her, lighten up.

Surely the nurses with a professional degree need complaining about, for refusing you much needed fluids? Doesn't that matter more?!

Plus the surgeon wouldn't have told the porter off, the porter doesn't report to the surgeon, despite being a much lower banding.

I would let this go.

A woman doing a minimum wage type job says something a bit off in the course of a busy day, possibly without thinking or stupidly thinking it was funny in front of the anaesthetist.

These are hard jobs and she made a mistake. Not worth her losing her job over it.

If be complaining about the nurses that refused to give you anything to drink rather than the porter who probably tried to make a light hearted comment and didnt really think.

You seem easily offended if you even gave that throwaway comment a second thought, I certainly wouldn't. They were probably just trying to lighten the mood, and although maybe not the best thing to say, it probably wasn't at all intended to be malicious. Focus on the positives and look forward to your recovery. But as pp said the nurses not giving you drinks would warrant complaining about although the NHS is in such a state nothing will probably change

As a porter they are not a ‘healthcare professional’ at all however they do have a responsibility working directly with patients to behave appropriately and responsibly- both of which their behaviour was not. Really insensitive, inappropriate and just a bloody awful thing to say to someone about to have surgery. I would probably make the complaint as firstly it’s clearly and understandably upset you and secondly so that they can be addressed and learn to not say this sort of thing to any other patients.

Why would a health care professional say something so utterly careless like that in such a serious situation?

To be fair, a porter is not a HCP. Don’t get me wrong, I have great respect as without them we’d all be fucked and the wheels would fall off entirely, but you can’t ascribe the same responsibility as you would to your surgeon, anaesthetist or nurse for example. Having said that, anyone with an ounce of common sense would know that was a silly thing to say. I honestly doubt your surgeon would have taken it any further than the dirty look they gave, because they are too busy to stuff around with such matters generally. So, if you want to complain you will need to do it yourself.

We once had the me who was problematic and had to be dealt with as their behaviour was systemic with many upset patients. They were a Christian, which is fine, but would tell patients God was looking after them and talk about Heaven and so forth, and offering to pray with them if they wanted as wheeling them along and in the lift. Even Christian patients were upset as it was actively putting the afterlife in their mind while they were ill enough to be going to wards or theatre. He was shocked that this was inappropriate and said it was his duty as a Christian and he would still pray for them. Fine, as long as you do it silently and so they have absolutely zero idea what you are doing as you trundle them along. Nice guy but weirdly inappropriate.

I would probably let it go as it's clear she didn't say it to be horrible. You feel strongly about it though so contact PALS, that's what they are there for.

For those saying she would lose her job clearly don't know how the NHS works. It's near impossible to get rid of someone who is grossly incompetent let alone someone who made an insensitive throw away comment.

I would definitely complain. It sounds most likely she said it lightheartedly and with no malicious intent but she needs some extra training and education to understand the impact saying such things can have on someone who is in a very vulnerable situation about to go into surgery. It's not about getting her in trouble, it's highlighting how it made you feel and ensuring she knows how to be more sensitive in future.

This

My porter said ' You'll be glad to see me again!' . It wasn't a major op though. He was a bit of a comedian. The surgeon was an Asian man and the nurse had just told me she'd have to shave my pubes off - in case I got a shock upon waking up.

'So I'm getting a Brazilian then? ' I said - trying to act all cool.
' No , he's a Pakistani ' said Mr Porter.

Mariposista I think your missing the point entirely. Surgery is not risk free in itself, and for a member of staff to joke about not going to heaven is highly inappropriate. What I would hope to get, is the matter raised so further training can be given as so she doesn't continue saying things like that.

haribosmarties I don't think I'm being unfair at all here. I wouldn't expect a porter to know details of patients or history. Why would they? I would however expect them not to remind you not to die 2 minutes prior to sedation, which is essentially what she did by asking me not to go to heaven! I appreciate gallows humour, but the timing was bloody stupid in this instance.

Lacked subtlety but seems to have been well intended.

Chances are the porter got her bollocking off stage. Surgeons aren't shy about voicing their opinions.

Take it as something for the dinner party and tell yourself that it's hard to be tactful after a 12 hr shift. She was cack handed and tactless but she meant to wish you well. You have more impirtant things such as getting better to focus on.

I would definitely let the hospital know so that they can speak to this porter about her inappropriate comment. Not to get her into trouble- just so she realises what she should/ not be saying to patients.

She is transporting people around who may be vulnerable, unwell or scared of dying so she shouldn't be making comments like this.

Oh do complain, then the already stretched resources of the NHS which every other thread on here complains about can be further stretched by investigating a not particularly offensive remark by an unqualified person.

yep, that a good use of funds.

This

It's a stupid comment on many levels. The fear, the religious loaded nature of the comment, the lack of rapport. Do complain, he obviously needs training.

The porter shouldn’t have said such a stupid comment to anyone going to surgery, that could cause anyone to panic. Most peoples fears around anaesthetic are death, so I think the porter is in the wrong job if they think that sort of comment is ok.

It,s a ridiculous thing to.say given that major surgery will.cause many people anxiety ,I doubt it was said with malice but it was very innapropriate.

Since when is a hospital porter a "health care professional".

She was clumbsy and insenstive, if you can't let it go as that then raise if you want as a training opportunity rather than an official complaint.

She shouldn’t have said it but do you really think she meant to upset you? I couldn’t bring myself to complain about this, she was probably spoken to by the doctor already.

What an earth else was she saying it for if not to scare and upset her???

Porter isn't a HCP it's a support role paying minimum wage. That doesn't make it acceptable but they are far from HCPs.
HCPs are regulated by professional standards bodies. If a HCP said this then yes I'd complain.

The porter needs retraining if they think saying something like this to.a patient just about to.go for major surgery is ok .

It's a terrible comment. What if she says things like this to a child? Not ops fault the nhs is over stretched she still has a right to be treated with respect ffs

Maybe just has a dark sense of humour!! I work in social care and many of us do!!