NHS stories - good and bad experiences!

[tonicj]

My story is about my elderly Mum and it's a bad story. She did survive the ordeal, but only through the support and sheer determination of her family.

My mum is 80 and started having bouts of heart failure about 5 years ago and then 1 1/2 years ago she had a mild heart attack and was admitted to Hospital. Over the next 24 hours she was conscious, but very weak. About 3 days into her stay we noticed that Mum wasn't being given any nutrition, just fluids and this was brought to the attention of the staff. Mum was able to take sips of water and she was also able to recognise her family. Concern was expressed again on day 4 about nutrition and a meeting called by the family. This was denied and we were told that the staff were to busy. It was only at this point that we had to engage the help of a very close family member who was a Hospital Consultant himself, but in a different hospital. When we demanded a meeting again with staff, we were given one with mum's Consultant and 2 members of nursing staff. We didn't say anything about the family member who was present at the meeting being a Consultant himself. During the meeting we were told that Mum was too ill and wouldn't be a candidate for tube feeding and this is when the family member started asking questions. The meeting became very heated indeed and a very reluctant decision was made to start feeding mum. On day 7 mum got her first bit of nutrition and on day 8 we could see a difference in mum. After 10 days or so of tube feeding, mum's tube came out and the family took over most of her care. We refused to abide by visiting times and visited her several times through the day and at every meal time to make sure she got fed! Had it not been for the family member getting involved, my mum would not be with us today.

It is now 1 1/2 years on. I still get very upset when I think of what could have been. I can just about cope with it at the moment because mum is still with us, but know when she does eventually leave us that the memory of what happened to her will haunt me forever. She has continued to do well and we will be taking her Christmas shopping within the next few weeks.

We learned very quickly that if we didn't fight for mum that no-one else would and it paid off.

Since this happened , I have heard several stories very similar to ours and because these families didn't have the support of someone who knew the system, their outcome was very sadly different to ours and I am also sad to say that I have lost complete faith in the NHS as it currently stands.

I would like to point out that mum had many nurses looking after her during her stay and out of all of them there were only 2 who were excellent and showed a great deal of empathy, so there are some very good caring nurses out there, I just wish there were more.

This is just my story and I am aware that there will be some good stories out there too.

 

[Lyddy]

That really awful well done to you and your family for sticking to your guns!

Was she on the Liverpool care pathway? x

 

[Hairflair'xo]

I have two stories, one good and one bad,
First the good! (On second thoughts, has some bad in it) my birth was difficult and forceps were used, these somehow damaged the muscle behind my left eye making it lazy...hospital denied responsibility for four years til admitting they were at fault, however on to the good, at age four and then nine I had surgery to raise my eyelid making it look better cosmetically, both went great and aftercare was brilliant, very impressed!

Now for my bad story...at the age of fifteen I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst, for weeks the doctors kept insisting I must have been pregnant, until finally an ultrasound proved I wasn't, the cyst was the size of a melon, they refused to do anything, saying it would go away, so for months I was in pure agony, couldn't even move from my bed some days(interfered with school attendance and exams) until finally one night the pain was so intense my mum took me to a+e, to be told it had ruptured and I was at risk of developing septicemia, luckily I didn't, but that could have been avoided if they could have been bothered to sort it in te first place.

Maybe this is just my local hospital, it's filthy in there also, blood stains on the floor, marked sheets and minimal cleaners

Xxx

 

[tonicj]

That really awful well done to you and your family for sticking to your guns!

Was she on the Liverpool care pathway? x

Would appear so Lyddy! It is clear in my Mum's case that there were too many people playing God!! The reason I posted this today is because my sister and I are arranging to take her Christmas shopping which at one point I never thought would be possible again. We could have so easily been robbed of this lovely experience!

 

[Penny Vintage]

I literally could spend hours just listing my bad experiences with NHS. I have had to change GP surgeries 3 times and have had to pay private before as my doctors and hospitals are so bad! They do not want to know and just tell me im fine and to go away. I have been fighting for tests, diagnosis and alot of the time even just to be listened to and helped. Ive literally begged before and ive had my mum come in with me to be forceful with them and demand help. Ive had blood test results lost, false results on ECGs and letters from hospitals thrown away instead of put on my medical records etc! Ive had a nightmare for years now and even today I was told by my locum GP that a very important letter from hammersmith hospital was thrown away instead of filed and put on my record! I had to photocopy mine and give it to them again. Just because it tells my GP its serious and to do further testing (which they dont want to do).
My least serious case was, I was continually told I was fine for 2 years and then finally sent to a private orthopedic surgeon. I had surgery, turned out because It was left so long It had caused such a lot of damage to my hand, arm and wrist that I had to have a load done and resulted in a year recovery!! All because my doc ignored me. Im fully healed now but still cant use a tin opener!
The NHS is so over stretched that it just doesnt work anymore. I dont have a good word for them.. They are good with one off appointments, but anything ongoing or serious doesnt look good on there books and they dont want to do there job. I know there are good nurses/doctors etc out there, but In my experience Ive not seen them in my area unless you pay private!
Also my mums partner has cancer and was told the other week that the docs and hospital had failed to put him on a medication to help his cancer.. He was supposed to be put on it over a year ago!!
And a doctor and hospital here was the direct result of my friends mum dying. She was coughing alot of blood and They kept telling her it was a throat infection and refusing testing, when they did test they lost the results multiple times and she ended up in hospital and died of throat cancer.. It was too late to operate by then!

 

[ChelleConnor]

My last experience was a good and bad one at the same time.
I broke my nose by running into a door frame on a Friday Night and was taken to A&E by ambulance... the ambulance crew were really nice and tried to get me seen straight away. This didnt happen unfortunately and I was made to wait in A&E.
So there I was sitting in A&E with my nose half way across my face and a big chunk of bandage under my nose stopping the blood.. There was another man who had his head cut open and then another lady who couldnt actually walk she was in so much pain. Then the rest of the usual lot you will find up my local hospital (the ones who bleed the NHS dry) who were running around and messing about and smiling happily etc. Needless to say these people were all seen first and the 3 of us that were visibly injured were seen last... 5 hours after getting there. The nurse I first saw wanted to take the bandage off of my nose, I was freaking out slightly as the bleeding had only stopped... She didnt care and just whipped it off then told me to look in the mirror as my nose was 'deformed' (lovely use of words) She had no compassion and couldnt care less.

I was then booked in to get my nose put back in place a week later. I could not fault this part of the treatment. I was in a lovely ward with lovely nurses checking up on me. I felt I was very well looked after even if the day was dragged out. (Told to get there at 7.30am, went into theatre by 12pm, my operation only took half an hour and I was home by 5pm)

I will be having another visit to them this time next week to go under and have my wisdom teeth out in the exact same ward. I can only hope I have the same nice experience x

 

[Christy.]

I think although some people have had bad experiences with the NHS, they also do some amazing things too. Pioneering things, saving lives and it all comes at no charge.

With so many people in this country, not enough nurses and doctors, and people with no medical background managing hospitals it is no wonder there is downfalls and lack of care. This shouldn't be the case though.

12 years ago my hand started to hurt. I went on holiday and came back in so much pain with a wrist twice the size, I went to a&e. They x-rayed and said there was nothing wrong with me and sent me on my way. 2 years after going to the drs and different painkillers, being told I have various infections in my hand, I finally got sent to see a specialist. They referred me to both NHS and private. I went to see the private one, got told what I had was rare and there wasn't much they could do apart from pain management. So I had the nerve cutting op and all was good, 3 months after first seeing the private specialist. A year after, I got my NHS referral. Anyway as time went on it got worse again, and I chose to have it fused, going private. The lack of care I had going private was unreal. I'm a bleeder and the drain was full, she took it off to empty it and didn't put it back on properly. I was covered in blood, couldn't get up and no one bothered to help me. 7 hours before they'd let me up for a wee!!! There was ants crawling all over me in the night, again not interested, blood all over the doors, walls, bathroom. Not from me, but them. The NHS hospital next door though was amazing. Having my wrist fused so young could of been prevented if the original dr had sent me for and MRI and found out what was going on.

My point is, it's not just NHS hospitals, however when I go to Milton Keynes General I want to go home and burn my clothes it's that dirty!!!

 

[Steph86]

Im sorry to read some of the truly awful experiences that you have all encountered. They sound dreadful. Xx

On a positive note, I'm thankful we have the NHS as we all know some countries don't. They have been nothing but fantastic with my Grandad who has been diagnosed with cancer. I wouldn't like to speculate the cost of the treatment & appointments he has had. Thankfully his treatment is coming to an end & we should find out the results in the next month or so.

Im also thankful that I don't have to pay each time I need to see a GP or a consultant. I have a hormone problem that needs an appointment with a specialist every few months & had to have a colonoscapy every 3 years, all the staff I have encountered have been lovely.

I have paid private for a couple of treatments, the first was a smear & it was a gyne consultant who works for the NHS who I had seen before, just my appointment was quicker. Around £150 for 15 mins, result waiting time is the same as NHS.

My second treatment isn't covered on the NHS, & I can honestly say the service I received as a day patient (several appointments, & 2 minor ops) wasn't as good as NHS. I was rather disappointed, I expected more. But it was rather mechanical, unorganised & rushed. Although, that will not be the case for all private medical care. (I hope!) Annoying as the place I chose, was double the cost of the same treatment else where.

Xx

 

[gillian w]

I have had good and bad and I think that should be the balanced view because people are always more likely to publicise something awful that's happened than say thanks for all the good.
We still get some of the best free treatment in the world,unfortunately often abused,I'm pained to knock it.

 

[Crystal colleen]

I have one bad one good.

Bad one first,I fell pregnant with my son and had lots of complications.I was taken to one hospital (not mentioning any names) and was told I had gone into very premature labour.I had scans etc and they told me I had lost a bit of water and that I would have to give birth to him they would induce me so as you can imagine I was freaking out and I asked them if they would be able to help my son and they said NO I asked why and they said because they didn't have the facilities to revive babies under 30 weeks.So as you can imagine first time mum 18 years old I was devistated I begged them to transfer me to another hospital that did take really prem babies and they point blank refused and said they couldn't do that because the ambulance service was stretched and that people needed there care more than me.I cried and cried and there was no way I could get to the other hospital as my partner at the time had a motorbike and we had no one that could help us.I again begged and begged and they refused so I had to give birth to my son knowing he was going to die in my arms and that's exactly what happened.Disgusting behaviour from the hospital.

They then offered to take pic of my son for me as that would be my memory of him.They took the pics and told me it would take 2 days to receive them.So in amongst all the greif and pure upset of my sons passing I went to collect them and his pictures had been lost.More upset I was just mortified,They tell me they will fined them and it's top priority.So I hear nothing for a week I go back and ask for my pictures and still nothing.I go back a week later and they have my pics I opened them and was nearly sick,They were grainy,the colour was wrong they were bright iluminouse pink just awful.I then file a letter of complaint about my son dying and the pics and I got back the most patronising letter ever.It was the most worst time of my life thanks to the NHS.

My good story,I fell pregnant with my daughter and had complications again so after the last experience I was transferred to Luton and Dunstable as they take really prem babies.There care was outstanding.My waters broke at 12 weeks,I was bleeding very heavily they kept me going with my pregnancy.At 18 weeks I went into labour and was in labour for 7 weeks they gave me everything I needed and kept her inside till she was 25 weeks.They kept me on the labour ward for 7 weeks non stop care.I then had my daughter she was born dead,they revived her with 20 doctors,nurses and specialists.There was 1 nurse per baby in the unit.They kept her alive through 2 bouts of meningitis,a stomach infection which normally kills prem babies,bleeding on the brain,a hole in the heart etc there is so much more that they treated.The care was first class it really was.8 years on she's still with us .

If it wasn't for them I would have had to burie another child because of incompetent nurses and hospital.xxx

 

[tonicj]

I have had good and bad and I think that should be the balanced view because people are always more likely to publicise something awful that's happened than say thanks for all the good.
We still get some of the best free treatment in the world,unfortunately often abused,I'm pained to knock it.

That's why the thread is called NHS stories - good and bad, in order to keep things BALANCED! I certainly hope that someday my faith will be restored in the NHS!

 

[AcidPerm]

tonicj - I had a similar experience with my mum when she had a stroke.

I realised when I visited her that they weren't feeding her and when I asked to speak to someone, I was told the Consultant had just left to go on holiday.

I spoke to the senior nurse on duty and explained that as an academic lawyer with an interest in medical negligence claims, I would have no hesitation in suing the hospital unless I had an immediate meeting with a senior member of the clinical team to explain why they had decided to withdraw treatment.

Fifteen minutes later and a rather disgruntled Consultant re-appeared and we had a relatively productive meeting.

Sadly, mum still died as she suffered two further strokes but at least I did my best to get her a decent level of care.


Good Story: My husband is receiving Chemo at the moment and his care so far has been excellent.

 

[xxAmyxx]

The thing that annoys me about the NHS is that they blame the poor care on the cuts but it's always been the same. My mum was treated for cancer 2 years ago and she had excellent care. My boyfriends mum had an operation 2 weeks ago and the care was appaling. My opinion - lazy, uncaring staff.

 

[tonicj]

So sorry to hear that some of you have had terrible experiences and yet glad that things have balanced out with some good experiences also!

AcidPerm, you will always be glad that you spoke up for your mum and by doing just that, it will give you much needed comfort when you need it. I'm sorry to hear that your husband is now unwell and yet I am delighted that you are happy with the treatment he is getting. Hope everything continues to go well for you both xx

 

[PinkSwoon]

My entire life has been a bad NHS story. Every single time I go to the doctors I just get palmed off, I think I've got something called Sacroiliac Joint Disease but they just say 'it's your posture' or 'back pain is common' bullsh*t.

I don't give a fk if it's 'common' (which it's not), I pay tax & national insurance so I'm entitled. Oops no sorry I forgot my tax had already been spent on people that abuse the law/NHS/state.
Going to book the chiropractor soon...watch this space!

Also if doctors/nurses/medical staff took more care it would directly affect the 'claim culture' in a positive way!

 

[gillian w]

My entire life has been a bad NHS story. Every single time I go to the doctors I just get palmed off, I think I've got something called Sacroiliac Joint Disease but they just say 'it's your posture' or 'back pain is common' bullsh*t. I pay tax & national insurance for what?
Going to book the chiropractor soon...watch this space!

Have you ever asked to be referred to a specialist.Gps only know so much.If they are vague with their answers you MUST ask to be referred.

 

[PinkSwoon]

Have you ever asked to be referred to a specialist.Gps only know so much.If they are vague with their answers you MUST ask to be referred.

You know what, no I haven't, I think it's because I'm too much of a poof! I really need to be more assertive but I don't like to sound like I'm talking down to a GP. My other half has said I need to do this too, the pain was so acute at one point I considered going to A&E which isn't something I take lightly at all. My plan is to go to the chiro because I know they'll tell me exactly what is wrong & then maybe take that evidence to my GP would that be of any substance?

 

[gillian w]

You know what, no I haven't, I think it's because I'm too much of a poof! I really need to be more assertive but I don't like to sound like I'm talking down to a GP. My other half has said I need to do this too, the pain was so acute at one point I considered going to A&E!

All it takes is to go in and say I've had this for a while now would you refer me to a specialist you are just asking very politely for something they should really be offering anyway.

 

[Victoriabar]

I have many stories good and bad from over the years, ive a 21yro son with a very rare liver and muscle disease, 1:200,000 to be precise and there have most deff been ups and downs in his care with 4monthly appointments over 3 hospitals,
BUT the care I received 5yrs ago saved my life, saved my baby's life and allowed my other children to not be left alone..

I went into lazy labour a week late, an uncomplicated 4th pregnancy, a planned (2nd) home birth but as she wasn't moving much and my CTX were random I was sent to day ward for monitoring.
The machines said I wasn't contracting so was left a further hour before they decided on a different test as they could feel contractions by touch despite what the machine said.
Once the other test was on they could see my baby's heart was decelerating hard and not coming up quick enough.
It was decided they would break my waters..... But nothing came out..
I was told the sludge that followed was due to late baby and meconium but as previous labours were only 4hrs this one should be the same...
I was gutted I wasn't having my home birth and so totally pissed off that I didn't even think of how serious a sludged, stained, thick mess could be.

My older kids came to the hosp with my sister to be with me but at one stage they all went to the waiting room,
After 4hrs of horrific painful labour with times of them making me roll from side to side, kneel up, lay down all to try and get her heart beating better, I kept saying the pain was too high up, they tried 7 times to clip an electrode on her head to measure blood gasses but clipped it to me 4 times... I was begging for a section..
Then they totally lost the heart rate and a buzzer was pressed and someone started screaming CAT A, CAT A...

Thankfully I was in the room next to the surgical area, I was strapped down and being swabbed over my belly before I had even had the mask put over my face, so many people working together and fast..

I woke.. I couldn't open my eyes or move but I heard someone, a man say 'don't worry my love, you will feel yourself go from a hard bed to a cold but soft bed' and then nothing...

Next time I awoke I could only open my eyes a tiny bit, everything was white.. I could see people in beds in my peripheral vision but couldn't move or focus.
I was trying to will my body to move starting with toes, I managed to make my tongue move and could feel something in my mouth but wasn't concerned despite thinking my mouth felt on the outside all pulled out like how Batman's Joker looks, I then managed to move my big toe on my right foot...

A nurse come over straight away and told me she'd call the doctor and that everything was OK, I tried to speak but couldn't.. I needed to ask where my kids were, I hadn't even thought about the baby..
The nurse bought me pen and paper and with very shaky writing I found out my handbag and suitcase was in labour ward offices, my kids went home with my sis and my baby was OK...
I still had no idea what had happened or where I was!!

The docs came out and removed tubes from my throat.
They then explained I was in intensive care in a different hospital..
My daughters heartbeat had stopped
They performed a very emergency section and baby was born with a very short cord around her neck so tight she had a cut on her neck.
On stitching the final external stitch I then heamohraged massively, they tried to stop the flow with many different ways and whilst on the phone to a surgeon who had already gone home (he was on hands free in his car on way back to me) it was decided when all else failed that an emergency hysterectomy would be needed, they resliced the section area losing a chunk of muscle and in doing the hyst they sliced open my bladder too.
After having the repairs to bladder done I also needed 6ltrs of full total blood transfusion..

I was told they lost me in the surgery.. They were concerned I would be upset with the news and the surgery they had to do..

I was then transfered to high dependency at maternity hospital where I met my daughter <3

I needed a further 2ltrs of blood transfusion.

I had many consultants, surgeons and nurses come to visit me as they were amazed to hear I'd pulled through let alone so quickly, I had a consultant hand me a copy of my notes and go through everything that happened with me, I needed to know.. It seems my placenta had calcified and that caused the heamhorage, neither my baby nor I should have pulled through, I was expected to be in a self placed coma while recovering and most deff not awake hours after such serious surgeries.. Apparently if you lose every bit of blood you own your body shuts down to repair for around 2wks..

If the staff hadn't moved fast, if they had just given up, if that surgeon hadn't made the decisions when he did or if the team hadn't called him.. I wouldn't be here.
I've got the conversation in my notes, in my bedroom.. I know it could have easily have been a different story at so many times..

Everyday I thank the NHS

Sent from my Nexus 7 using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[Steph86]

Wow Victoria... So glad everything turned out ok, you went through so much! Xx