| The 72-year-old former nurse, who asked not to be named, underwent surgery to replace a hip joint.
The pensioner’s health was already a cause for the concern before the operation and on the advice of her consultant she was sent to Ninewells —rather than her first choice, Stracathro Hospital — because of the levels of expertise and aftercare available.
However, the woman, who has leukaemia, claims the nursing staff “left her to her own devices” and that she was forced to clean her own wound for fear of infection.
And on returning home to her empty house, only seven days after the procedure, she says she was not visited even once by a physiotherapist, as had been promised.
“I was a nurse for all of my working life and I am very, very sad that this can happen at such an incredible teaching hospital,” she said.
The woman, who has trouble walking and can eat only certain foods, said she asked to be put in a private room because of her condition but now wishes she had been left in the main ward.
“It was like I was being ignored or had been forgotten about.
“It took ages for anyone to come to me when I buzzed and I showered and looked after my wound myself, with no help, because I was afraid about the chance of infection.
“Nursing should be done with pleasure.
“It was just shocking what went on. Patients were screaming in pain all day and night but the nurses did not seem interested.”
The woman had been looking forward to returning home and leaving behind the “bad experiences” in the hospital — but unfortunately things went from bad to worse.
She said, “I’ve had a very difficult few weeks. My son is my full-time carer and I really don’t know what I would have done without him — I have received no aftercare whatsoever despite being weak and in a lot of pain.
“I was told a number of times that I would receive physio treatment after the operation, but this never happened.
“I was left to my own devices. I am lucky that I was a nurse and did a lot of sport in my younger years so know a bit about physio.”
The woman added that she had been forced to live with her son in Fife for a number of weeks for “respite” and only then had she been able to see a physiotherapist.
Maggie Simpson, NHS Tayside director of nursing for the delivery unit, apologised for the situation. “We are sorry this patient has raised concerns about her care and I am more than happy to discuss any issues,” she said.
She added, “She can also contact the complaints and advice Team on 0800 027 5507.” |
