"Post operative care at DPU"

I underwent gynaecological surgery last week at Albany Health Campus. Initially planned for day surgery however due to pain and nausea I stayed in overnight. I wish I had of gone home. 

Recovery-

Significant pain in recovery- told they won't be able to stop the pain. Moved to DPU whilst still experiencing increased pain and drowsiness.

Left for extended period in DPU with no call bell in significant pain- in tears. Curtain left open while other patients looked on. Unable to get the attention of any other nurses.

Eventually nurse returned, maybe 30 minutes later realising I was in pain. Pain improved slightly after medication but going up again shortly afterwards.

Offered overnight admission for pain relief. In DPU offered 1 cup of coffee at 4pm- able to tolerate small amount but nauseous- made to take tablets later with old cold coffee. No water provided from 9am that morning until 8pm that night.

Unable to eat due to nausea. Able to have jelly only from evening meal tray- nurse handed over 'tolerating diet and fluids' to morning staff. 

Assisted to walk around the corner to overnight bed whilst still drowsey to go to the toilet. No offer of replacement pad for PV loss therfore blood through bed overnight.

Given 1 cup of water when moved to nearby room. No additional water provided until midnight when needing to take medication. Despite asking for something for nausea and pain not given anything for nausea. Told no water jugs left and given 1 cup of warm water.

Placed in room with 5 other patients. Patient adjacent had severe sleep apnoea and refusing to wear CPAP machine. Loud snoring and gasping keeping all other patients awake. Same patient playing white noise on phone with frequent ads and notifications at high volume disturbing other patients- same not addressed by staff.

No sleep. Requested ear plugs early- no effect from same. Discharged without tolerating diet and minimal fluid. Represented to ED a few days later with dehydration. I believe, extended recovery due to impacts of treatment on DPU.

This would definitely be the worst care I have had when recovering from an anaesthetic. In a vulnerable state, already exhausted, my basic dignity was not considered. The nursing staff stated I had 'tolerated diet' when I believe that clearly just by looking at the meal tray you would have known I struggled to eat anything. I was given 2-3 small cups of water between 4pm until 10am the next morning. 

Although I understand beds within the hospital are limited, placing a patient with severe sleep apnoea in a room with 5 other patients- two of which were trying to recover from surgery- is, in my opinion, neither considerate of the other patients nor providing a suitable environment for recovery. 

I believe basic principles of post anaesthetic/post operative care were not provided.