"Lack of support and compassion"

I recently was admitted to Rockingham for query ectopic pregnancy. 

I went through a lot of heartache, ups and downs and being told good news then bad news over and over for 48 hours. Different doctors coming in all the time saying I had to do surgery, then no surgery to all different ideas they had. It was very hard to hear. I never got a proper diagnosis but I was advised to do the methotrexate treatment. All the doctors were lovely, approachable and if I had any questions to ask them, they would be very prompt in coming to see me.

The downfall of my admission was the nursing caregivers that looked after me. I was very emotional due to the roller coaster of a time my husband and I were going through. I was crying a lot of the time and I believe the nurses knew I was, I felt they knew what was happening to me and not one nurse came and asked if I was okay or offered me any services eg: Pastoral care or even just to sit down with me so I could have a chat. I am a clinical nurse and I work on a busy ward so I do understand the pressure and how busy ward nursing can be. 

I honestly felt completely unsupported through the whole process. When I was waiting for my blood results to come through, it was hard as that was to determine my treatment plan. I knew the doctor was coming back shortly and I asked the nurse looking after me if my husband could come in 30 minutes earlier (just before visiting hours) when the doctor was coming as I knew I was being told bad news. I was crying at this point.

The nurse told me no. I asked if she could possibly ask their manager as I didn’t want to be alone on receiving this news. And they told me the manager is very strict and it wouldn’t be allowed. I completely understand the effect of COVID-19 but the manner towards me and not even just asking the manager when a patient has requested this I found very upsetting as I know I would have approached this situation very differently.

Basically I got the news on my own. I believe the nurses knew and not one nurse came to check on me but to only do my 4hrly observations. A lovely patient who was in the bed beside me heard everything going on and came over and spoke to me and I am eternally grateful for that patient. 

I am now home and trying to recover from the experience of being unsupported and also trying to recover from my loss. 

I had planned to have my baby at Rockingham as it is local. Due to my experience on that ward, I have been completely put off in ever coming back. 

In my opinion, it doesn’t take much for a nurse to come to sit down and ask how you are or show some sort of compassion. I’m really disappointed in my experience. 

On a positive note, I have previously said the doctors were great and the food didn’t disappoint. The nurses in the cancer centre were exceptional and I can not fault them. 

I would like to know that this email has been acknowledged by management and what has been done to resolve this from happening in the near future. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.