"Family member experience"

My parent was admitted through emergency requiring complex surgery after being hit by a motor vehicle. All nurses we met in person were professional and supportive. In particular, Annie one day and Siobhan on another day. Both worked cared for my parent.

My only unpleasant experiences included: 

1) when my parent arrived by ambulance and was admitted, they didn’t receive fluids (IV or oral) for over 12 hours as they were told the nurse was unable to get on to a doctor to get approval. As a result, they were severely dehydrated and uncomfortable;

And 2) When I called to ask about discharge planning. My parent was imminently due to be discharged so I called to organize the meeting that was offered to us 4 days prior. I had already tried to get through to someone earlier that day but hadn’t heard back and my parent's discharge time was creeping closer. When I called I believe I was inexplicably cut off twice by a nurse who I felt was extremely brusque. They didn’t introduce themself on the phone and transferred me to another number when I was midway through trying to briefly explain the reason for my call. It happened twice because the first transfer failed, so they came back on the line again, at which point they again cut me off mid-sentence by way of transferring the call.

The second transfer also failed and the phone was not answered when I tried to call back. I understand hospitals are often short staffed and I feel staff are doing a fabulous job under those circumstances but it was quite upsetting to call the Main Line, get put through to reception, and then get put through to the nurses station, only to then be cut off twice without being put through to anyone. If left me feeling upset and unheard.

Nonetheless our experience of the hospital as a family member was generally very positive.