Complaints meeting

Nicchick

Arghhhh!

This is a great big moan and although the meeting was Friday afternoon I can only now put it to the forum - partly because of work and family commitments and partly because I am so mad at the hospital and how crap they have been, and still are being...

The meeting was attended by a PAL's note taker, the senior rheumatology nurse and a matron from the orthapaedic ward. The latter struggled to understand a lot of the terminology used and got visibly upset when some of the side effects from the medications were discussed. I only cried twice and am so proud of myself that I managed to stay calm throughout. My friend was amazing and made some great points, asking some brilliant questions.

BUT - they were so ill-prepared for it, misunderstanding a lot of the concerns I thought I had made quite clear. They agreed to amend the incorrect notes made referring to seeing my consultant three times when in fact it was once in three years and one of the occasions he was off work as he was sick....other than that all I got was apology after apology and any real answers are still to be given and I'll only get when my new consultant reviews my notes.

I *was* quite happy with how they were handling it all, one of the nurses has 'reflected on her treatment of me and realised that she made mistakes' Whoopee, that makes me feel better - no apology from her though.

I say *was* as whilst I was in the meeting I missed a special delivery letter which was my requested notes (I really wanted them before the meeting but hey ho!) so I picked them up from the Post Office yesterday morning and instead of the blood test results and x-rays I had requested the letter only contained my notes! I didn't even bleeding well ask for those! I did however read through them and was almost breathless with shock when I came across a letter from my old consultant, dated last May which actually starts with 'I met Nicola for the first time today....' unbelievable! Do none of these people who are paid to *care* for me read?

I have now gone past angry with it all - how dare they think saying sorry over and over again makes it ok!

They also stated that I hadn't had the anti-CCP test as my ESR levels weren't raised until recently - they weren't and my notes clearly state that was the reason for doing it. I did however notice (whilst reading notes)
that they were raised for a very long time two years ago and they didn't test me then. The orthapaedic nurse did say that maybe it wasn't a commonly used test when I was originally referred and maybe that was why I hadn't had it....so what am I supposed to make of that? You are only tested and investigated on referral?

As you can tell I am sooooo cross.....sorry for the long rant!

Nic x

skezier

Hi Nic,

I am one of those folk that never complains so I am really impressed you have. Well done and I hope that some good will come with it. Cris x

villier

Hi Nic

New to this forum and came across your post, being new I don't know the story behind your meeting but good on you, that's what's wrong with us Brits we don't complain enough hope things turn out ok for you.......tc.......Marie

Nicchick

We don't usually and in all the letters from my GP to the hospital it states 'this lady is not a complainer'

I'm hoping I'll wake up in a better mood but as I said in the meeting - knowing that there are things that people could have done and in some cases should have done makes me super mad!

Nuhnight, Nic x

skezier

Night Nic and try not to let it wind you up too much. I know its hard but hang in there. Sleep well Cris x

Nicchick

Thanks Cris, I did sleep well!

The blood tests 'are in the post' apparently...I had a lovely day at work and although I have had to cancel tonight's workshop due to nausea from Tramadol it means I get to see OH this evening and have a nice dinner with him, leftover slow roast lamb that my ma cooked for us yesterday - we've both got a lot of foot pain right now (bad leg!) so there will be a lot of nice resting going on!

Nic x

barbara12

Hi Nic
Good for you for complaining, Im like the others never do then could kick myself....your treatment was awful ...but at least you have had your say...they dont seem to do apologies...if only they would talk to one another, as well as reading notes properly.....
You take care xx

Nicchick

Thanks Barbara,

I think it's the not reading notes properly that winds me up more than anything else! It's like they *glance* through the notes....

Had a nice evening with OH and come back home to an empty fridge and full teenager!

Nic x