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'My mum was treated with dignity': NHS care amid the winter crisis 'My mum was treated with dignity': NHS care amid the winter crisis
(about 1 hour later)
Hospitals are experiencing immense pressure on services this winter. On Wednesday, at least 21 trusts – many responsible for multiple hospitals – were on black alert, known as opel 4. This happens when trusts can no longer guarantee patient safety and provide their full range of services. Hospitals are experiencing immense pressure on services this winter. On Wednesday, at least 21 trusts – many responsible for multiple hospitals – were on black alert, known as Opel 4. This happens when trusts can no longer guarantee patient safety and provide their full range of services.
Despite the problems that are hitting services across the country, doctors continue to work tirelessly to do incredible jobs. When we asked our readers for experiences, many of you responded to praise NHS workers who continued to do their best despite difficulties. Here are a selection. Despite the problems, doctors and hospital staff continue to work tirelessly. When we asked our readers for their experiences, many responded to praise NHS workers who continued to do their best despite difficulties. Here are a selection.
Anna, 53 from Portsmouth: ‘My mum was treated with with the utmost dignity and care by the staff’Anna, 53 from Portsmouth: ‘My mum was treated with with the utmost dignity and care by the staff’
My 81-year-old mother was taken ill on 29 December while visiting me on Hayling Island. After a conversation with the 999 operator she was taken by ambulance to Queen Alexandra hospital in Portsmouth where her high blood pressure meant she was immediately seen by the Stroke team in the ambulance. My 81-year-old mother was taken ill on 29 December while visiting me on Hayling Island. After a conversation with the 999 operator, she was taken by ambulance to Queen Alexandra hospital in Portsmouth, where her high blood pressure meant she was immediately seen by the stroke team in the ambulance.
Once it was established she was out of danger, she then waited more than five hours to be admitted into hospital to finish her treatment as there was no room in A&E. My mother was treated with with the utmost dignity and care by the staff, and I have nothing but praise for the front line paramedics, A&E doctors and nurses. From her point of view, it was actually preferable to be in a warm calm ambulance with two paramedics at hand rather than on a trolley in a corridor in a much more stressful environment. Once it was established that she was out of danger, she waited more than five hours to be admitted into hospital to finish her treatment, as there was no room in A&E. My mother was treated with with the utmost dignity and care by the staff, and I have nothing but praise for the frontline paramedics, A&E doctors and nurses. From her point of view, it was actually preferable to be in a warm, calm ambulance with two paramedics at hand, rather than on a trolley in a corridor in a much more stressful environment.
There were more than 20 ambulances queuing to admit their patients that day so more than 20 ambulances and40 paramedics that could not be dealing with other emergencies. The staff feel overwhelmed and we have to address the immediate concerns in A&E and the underlying problems. There were more than 20 ambulances queuing to admit their patients that day, so more than 20 ambulances and 40 paramedics that could not be dealing with other emergencies. The staff feel overwhelmed and we have to address the immediate concerns in A&E and the underlying problems.
Helen, 63 from Kenilworth: ‘Staff saved my life but I am concerned about their morale’Helen, 63 from Kenilworth: ‘Staff saved my life but I am concerned about their morale’
I had two emergency admissions to A&E over the festive period after a routine outpatient procedure led to anaphylactic reaction. I received superb three hour attention in A&E and then for two days in the wonderful critical care unit when I was stabilised. I had two emergency admissions to A&E over the festive period after a routine outpatient procedure led to anaphylactic reaction. I received superb three-hour attention in A&E and then for two days in the wonderful critical care unit when I was stabilised.
Despite the huge pressures on resources and staff at an incredibly busy clinic, they were able to garner their resources and expertise to save my life. What I needed I got. The way they made decisions on the hoof, the way they worked as a team, the way they experimented with treatment until they found something that worked. I then spent one night in an ordinary ward before being discharged. Despite the huge pressures on resources and staff at an incredibly busy clinic, they were able to garner their resources and expertise to save my life. What I needed, I got. The way they made decisions on the hoof, the way they worked as a team, the way they experimented with treatment until they found something that worked. I then spent one night in an ordinary ward before being discharged.
I received excellent treatment, and the staff saved my life, but I am concerned about the pressure on workers’ morale. All the criticism of the NHS must inevitably affect their sense of worth and ability to see a future in their organisation. Their stress was obvious.I received excellent treatment, and the staff saved my life, but I am concerned about the pressure on workers’ morale. All the criticism of the NHS must inevitably affect their sense of worth and ability to see a future in their organisation. Their stress was obvious.
Alice, 20 from Cheshire: ‘The staff have been excellent, despite the lack of beds’Alice, 20 from Cheshire: ‘The staff have been excellent, despite the lack of beds’
My mum suffered a cardiac arrest at the end of December and the ambulance took just 10 minutes to get to get to us and they were all brilliant. Due to the severity of my mum’s state, she was treated and seen by consultants immediately at Royal Stoke hospital in the resuscitation ward in A&E and moved to the critical care ward where it is one on one nursing for patients. The staff have been excellent, however she was due to move off that ward on Sunday, once she was up and walking (recovering well, fortunately) but the lack of beds meant she had to stay put until today (Wednesday). When we came in on the Friday we saw patients on trolleys lined up down the corridor, most of whom were elderly. There is huge strain on A&E departments. My mum suffered a cardiac arrest at the end of December and the ambulance took just 10 minutes to get to us, and they were all brilliant. Due to the severity of my mum’s state, she was treated and seen by consultants immediately at Royal Stoke hospital in the resuscitation ward in A&E, and moved to the critical care ward, where it is one-on-one nursing for patients. The staff have been excellent, however, she was due to move off that ward on Sunday, once she was up and walking (recovering well, fortunately), but the lack of beds meant she had to stay put until Wednesday. When we came in on the Friday, we saw patients on trolleys lined up down the corridor, most of whom were elderly. There is huge strain on A&E departments.
Dave, from Stamford: ‘The doctors were very good when it came to finding the right, life-saving treatment’ Dave, from Stamford: ‘The doctors were very good when it came to finding the right treatment’
My son, who has serious mental health problems, went into hospital in an emergency after he attempted suicide. A medic arrived on the scene barely minutes after my 999 call. The paramedics were fantastic and kept everything low key so as to keep stress levels down. The doctors at the hospital were very good when it came to finding the right life-saving treatment and at keeping my son coping and co-operative throughout. My main concern is that there are not enough doctors and NHS staff are overworked. My son, who has serious mental health problems, went into hospital in an emergency after he attempted to kill himself. A medic arrived on the scene barely minutes after my 999 call. The paramedics were fantastic and kept everything low-key so as to keep stress levels down. The doctors at the hospital were very good when it came to finding the right life-saving treatment, and at keeping my son coping and cooperative throughout. My main concern is that there are not enough doctors and NHS staff are overworked.
• Some names have been changed.• Some names have been changed.