Would you complain.

[Jaytee38]

Hi I'll add full story tomorrow. But just wanted some general thought on whether you would complain about bad NHS care. I don't want compensation. I'd like an apology and things to change.

So what do you think ?

I would.

Without the full story it is impossible to say.

I would as it might stop it happening to someone else

Yes, I complained to the hospital about a consultation I'd had. I got an apology from the hospital and from the doctor, which I was happy with.

I'll try to keep to main points

Waiting over 90 minutes for morphine as another nurse would not give it as they have set patients. Nor would she try to find my nurse for me.

Talking very nastily in earshot of many about other patients.

I saw my consultant he want a certain test. Then pain to be reduced and temp down before discharge.

I was told I was getting a procedure that involved fasting and not being able to leave ward til it was done. Well 8 hours later no test. So nurse agreed I can go off ward to get juice from vending machine.

Get back from vending machine nurse says oh you can go your letters here. I query scan and fact temp high and still getting morphine.

Nurse call Dr. say scan was cancelled ( umm thanks for telling me ). And I can go home on previous antibiotics. I explained to her they made me vomit and how will infection go if I vomit. So she agreed to give different ones.

I asked about what consultant said about my temp which was high at lunch time but no idea since as nurses rarely did checks and also made them up if nurse wasn't present.

DR said that we will give you paracetamol and ibuprofen

Sorry also going back a bit I heard them in the corridor insinuating I'd made up the story saying I needed a scan.
Dunno if it means anything but I'm an ex general nurse myself.

Sorry for the ramble and sheer length. Grateful for any thoughts.

Anyone ?

Speak to PALS.
Write everything down including names, dates and times.
You can also request to see your medical notes.

I don't think we have PALs in Scotland. I know some senior nurses so may ask them.

I have complained via PALS and recieved an appolagy in the past and assurances of future changes to practice. I also work for the NHS and have dealt with complaints from the other side. Most people who complain want to feel listened to and to have an appology. It's rare for people to complain wanting compensation.

We contacted PALS recently. Hospital have acknowledged that they have made a mistake.
I think we are going to make a formal complaint though as 4 people missed it and resulted in my young child having to have an operation. Injury was very obvious on 1st X-ray too.