"Experiences with staff"

I had been suffering for 3 days of pain in my abdomen that slowly and progressively got worse each day passing. I attended my local doctor and was advised to head straight to Angliss ED. Hospitals make me very anxious and nervous: as a returning patient to the Angliss who frequently visits due to suffering from chronic pain for many years I have unfortunately not had the most pleasant past experiences with the nurses and the doctors at Angliss: I believe I have been stigmatised as a drug seeker that comes for pain relief. I feel it’s quite insulting and debilitating especially when I myself am a healthcare worker. It makes me want to not get help when it’s needed, which is not what Eastern Health is about.

The lovely nurse and doctors I had in short stay however Josh and Dr Lawrence I could not be more grateful for and not recommend more highly: I was treated with dignity and respect and felt comfortable in their care: not only was all nursing interventions and diagnostic testing results explained to me and I was aware of my care planning but I was also frequently checked on by both staff regarding my pain and care.

I was admitted to 2West that afternoon: I was quite anxious from been admitted as last time I was on that ward I was struggling mentally and was on the brink of suicide, the last experience I felt I was not supported and both me and my parents felt we were not treated well by the staff on the ward. However I do need to praise four of the amazing staff from that ward. The NUM, Nurses Bryanna and Peter and RUSON Emily. During the completion of admission paperwork for the ward i was asked if i had any bad past experiences in the hospital which i had to be honest about: the nurse Peter was so empathetic and supportive re me opening up to him about my experience and he ensured that the in charge and nursing team were aware so i wouldn't feel that way during this admission which i am forever grateful for. Nurse Bryanna was just amazing no words for her, she was prompt in my care and never questioned me when i rang with concerns and worries she was a big support to both me and my parent and we really appreciate that.

However, there were two nurses I unfortunately have to provide some negative feedback upon: not only did they not introduce themselves to me at the beginning of the shift so I had no idea who they were, but it seemed to me they kept ignoring when a staff member voiced their concerns for my wellbeing to them. That afternoon I was not in a good state at all, I was NBM experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting and pain that wasn't subsiding but getting worse, I could not sleep or keep any oral medications down. The nurses attended to me halfway through the shift, I said that I understood they were busy but if i could have something for the pain and nausea so i could rest would be appreciated. I recall they did not even acknowledge me they just walked out of the room. An hr passed and they had not returned.

My surgical team came to visit not long after and voiced their concern for me to the nursing team and requested them to get me some stronger pain relief and nausea medication. However they still did not attend. I felt it wasn't until a new patient was put in the bed next me and could hear how much distress I was in, this patient had a different nurse and proceeded to call their nurse and ask their nurse to help me. Unfortunately I did not get that nurses name but I thank her for her prompt response and for alerting her in charge of the issue occurring. I was later taken to urgent CT in which one of the two nurses mentioned attended: not once was I comforted, reassured or asked if I was okay, I felt I was treated like I was a burden to them.

As a healthcare worker, I hate to put in negative feedback as I have; I can understand how tough the job is, but in my opinion, even the night staff that night who I believe were short staffed and packed with admission and behavioural patients were more prompt and polite in their care.

Based on my experience, I hope this can be a little reminder for some that simple acts of kindness and reassurance can make a big difference in patient care.