"St John of God Murdoch"

My mother was recently admitted to Saint Rose ward post a hip replacement. I am very disappointed by the Registered Nurse's lack of knowledge surrounding spinal anaesthesia , and their attitude towards clients .  My mother was admitted to the ward at approximately 1730 hrs. She at this stage had fasted for approximately 24hr and was understandably  hungry. I asked the coordinator if I could sit her up to eat, I was then told she would not be able to eat for 2 hours. I then asked why as she had had a spinal anaesthetic . I believe I was very rudely informed that was why she could not eat. When I informed the Nurse that I was a Registered Nurse/Midwife, and knew this to be incorrect, she became very dismissive, telling me to return to my mother's room and discuss it with the allocated Nurse. I then raised the issue with the allocated Nurse who informed me it was hospital policy and that bowel sounds needed to be heard prior to eating. When I informed the Nurse that the surgeon and anaesthetist had both stated she could eat, she again reiterated hospital policy. After I left the premises the nurse approached my mother to inform her I was wrong as apparently the medications used in spinal anaesthesia at SJOGM are different to those used in maternity. My concern, in my opinion is this Nurse's complete lack of knowledge surrounding anaesthetics . How can she care for people if she does not understand the procedures they have received? Unfortunately my mother was also verbally insulted by a staff member on night duty during the week of her admission. She called the bell for assistance and was told she should be doing this by herself now. My mother who had polio as a two year old and currently has many complications from this, she was distraught. She explained she did not feel safe by herself. The Nurse growled in their throat at her.

Perhaps the most distressing part of this story was that my mother felt unable to complain about this care as she felt there may be repercussions. 

I will say that the majority of the staff gave very good care. Both doctors gave exceptional care.