[jameslindsay]

My partners 72 year old dad went into Stirling Royal on Tuesday for a leg operation. From Tuesday lunch time he fasted for surgery on Wednesday. On Wednesday he was taken to Theatre, given the pre med and just as he was about to be given the anesthetic he was told the op was cancelled till the following Day. So, stressed and upset he returned to the ward and said he was hungry. They served him a sandwich which he said was days old and inedible. As he was going for surgery the following day the staff told him he could only eat a light meal. Then at 7.00 pm. last night he was told to go home and surgery would be next Wed or Thursday!!

I think it is criminal that people, of any age can be treated so shockingly. Kenny and I are having a Civil Partnership next Thursday and now his parents can't attend, thanks to the incompetence and insensitivity of the HNS, this is causing them even more upset. He desperately needs this surgery so its not a case of him asking for a later date. This country needs such a huge kick up the arse.

[HappyHippy]

Hi James,
I totally agree with you about the state of our NHS - it's bloody awful 
But I'm not even going to start a rant - more interesting fish to fry 
You didn't tell us about you and Kenny (or maybe you did and I missed it) I take it you've got everything organised  , try to stay calm and don't let the nerves set in  I hope you a have a fantastic day and send all my love and best wishes for you both and your future together 

[Roxy]

Having experienced a similar thing with my elderley relatives, I do agree that things are far from good with the NHS. When my mother broke her hip and was in hospital, she mislaid her wash bag, and I went into the bathroom to find it.  I cannot really describe the scene, it was dirty and disgusting, and no one, definitely not old ladies who had just had surgery should have been made to use facilities such as these.  And there was a catalogue of other problems, not least that they had left the menu by my mums bed for her to fill in, and being flat on her back she had been unable to do it ....so they left her without food all one day, until we discovered the error, and filled in the request for food sheet.  Surely when the food came they should have realised she had been missed out.  What if my mum had no relations or friends going in, what then??

Anyway, I hope the op goes ahead and is a success. Its such a shame he will miss your special day.  Have a lovely day, and best wishes to you both

[jameslindsay]

Thank you, I didn't mention before. We have a very small gathering organised and are pushing the boat out with a slap up lunch for 19 of us, now that will be down to 17. We are even closing the hotel for a day as we are going to another hotel for lunch. I have no contact with my parents so it was nice that Kenny's would be there for him, any way all will go as planned now. Thanks again, appreciated.

[plumseverywhere]

my husband and are are trained nurses but have let our registration go due to being very disallusioned by our health service  I am so sorry to hear that your special day is now to be marred by this, what a terrible shame.

my own mother has multiple sclerosis and I often have to see from the 'other side' how awful things are. once, she was in our local hospital and I found out that she was sharing a toilet with a man who was not only confused, bless him, but had a chronic bowel infection which was literally splattered all over the loo and my mum went onto develop! no-one cleaned it for days until I went berzerk.
another time, she phoned me to say that she had been buzzing for a nurse for 20 minutes due to some chest pain (!) and no-one had answered. I had to phone the ward clerk on my mobile to say "er can someone go check on my mum please!" . it is dreadful.

sorry, just turned this into a rant of my own, didnt' intend to do that - just wanted to say I hope you have a lovely day  James and Kenny and I wish your partners dad all the best too with his surgery xx

[Roxy]

If things were as they should be in hospital, we would not need to rant!!  When I was young, I remember going into hospitals and the cleanliness and clean smell hit you immediately.  On occasions I have stepped in the door and wanted to be sick.  What a change in the times.

[dixie]

Sorry to hear that, my Nan had a similar experience when she fell and broke her hip aged 92, she was in agony, they starved ready for the op which was then cancelled, she wasn't even allowed a cup of tea in case they could operate, this went on for 3 days, nothing to eat or drink and still in agony, she finally got the op along with C Diff and died Absolutely shocking,
I hope it goes well for him, and all the best for your big day, congratulations

[Rosemary]

Congratulations of your big day! Hope the sun shines for you both!

[gavo]

I agree your stories are very sad and distressing for all concerned but please don't forget that people easily remember the bad events. My wife is a nurse and works in the local hospital on the frontline [so to speak] and they work damned hard and would never intentionally let any harm come to any patient.It's not an easy job and they are only human with one pair of hands, buzzers aren't always answered quickly because all available staff  may be with other patients. I've seen how tired and worn out she comes home sometimes from the sheer workload.Unfortunately large organisations have lots going on behind the scenes that often account for ops etc getting cancelled that we the general public never get to hear about but nurses etc  take the flack for.     By the way ALL THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY hope you have a great time.

[dixie]

gavo - I applaude anyone who works for the nhs, I think they do a fantastic job, but its not the staff thats the let down its the system. No offence meant to any of the staff.

[sheila]

oh I do love a good wedding. best wishes for a long and happy life together.

[RUSTYME]

Hello James,
               so sorry to hear about Kenny's dads problems , I hope they sort him out ok very soon , fingers crossed for him  .
  Such a shame his parents won't be able to be be with you both on your happy day . Still make the most of the day, enjoy every minute mate....love and best wishes to you both ....

cheers

Russ

[Andrew]

I am sorry to hear that things went wrong regarding Kenny's dad recent stay in hospital. Over recent months my wife has had a number of health issues which have resulted in her having major surgery, on every occasion the level of care and attention she has received has been absolutely the best that we could have expected. While with any large entity things will go wrong I think it is also important to give praise when it is due. Our recent experience would rank the NHS with the best anywhere.
James best wishes to both you and Kenny and I hope you have a great day and a wonderful future.

[doganjo]

I would re-iterate what Andrew says.  When John fell off Lochnagar he couldn't possibly have had more love and care if they tried.  All the doctors and nurses included me and my family in discussions on his treatment at every point.  Aberdeen ITU is the cleanest, tidiest, most positive hospital department I've been in, and I couldn't fault the staff.  They were as devastated as I was that they couldn't save him and some of them came to his funeral.

May I add my very best wishes for your special day, James and Kenny.

[Snoopy]

Hope Kenny's Dad doesnt have to suffer for too much longer.

Congratuations to you both, I am sure you are made for each other as
you seem to enjoy life so much, and I wish you both all the best for
your future life together - sending lotsa 

Julie, Joe and Tara (and the pygmy goats of course, especially escapist Billy )