The whole 9 yards

If you have read my previous blogs, you will be aware that George has spent the best part of a week as an inpatient in the hospital.

We didn't have the greatest of experiences overall and feel that George recieved substandard care.

We didn't get off to the greatest of starts, having been abandoned in a side ward room with no idea of the ward layout and how it operates. Staff didn't introduce themselves and we had no idea who was who.

The parents bed wasn't made up and no bedding was left to enable us to make it up ourselves. We were also told that we were expected to administer George's drugs and carryout his cares.

It transpired that this wasn't exactly the case and that we were unlucky with the staff that were onduty during admission.

This initial poor experience could have been so easily avoided with a simple introduction and a quick ward induction.

There were various failings during George's stay but for all of the bad, there was also good.

There were some fantastic nurses who were keen to make a difference and would go above and beyond. It is important that they are credited especially as some of them are the future. They need to be motivated to stay within their profession. I will never use names within my blogs and it's a shame that the good ones are let down by colleagues who are happy to turn up and take a wage, seemingly unmotivated and willing to do the bare minimum.

PALs have been used for complaints but we have also used them to credit the good. People are quick to complain when service is below standard but good service often goes uncredited.

We understand that there are pressures on the organisation but patient care needs to be paramount. If some nurses are able to go above and beyond, why can't all of them?

Frustrations are obvious and comments like "welcome to the NHS" are prime examples of this, but comments like this should not be made to patients because it does not inspire confidence.

George clearly touched the hearts of several nurses who were keen to keep an eye on his progress. Many of which were trying to ensure that they could care for him on their next shift.

George had his NG tube replaced whilst on the ward. A procedure that he doesn't enjoy and is pretty stressful for Natalie and I. Natalie is uncomfortable around him having it done. The nurse who changed it did it under supervision as it was her first time on a live patient. Clearly nervous she told Natalie to leave the room because it was her first time but she did an amazing job, locating it correctly first time and with minimum distress caused to George.

A student nurse also talked to us about her experiences and her passion for her job. She was so inspirational and an absolute credit to the profession. She is clearly developing in to becoming the consummate professional. We just hope and pray that more are like her and that she stays in the job that she clearly loves.

It just seems that your experience is totally dependent on the luck of the draw with regards to staff on duty. There is definitely some good eggs out there, but seemingly not enough. If one or two can go the whole 9 yards, surely they all can?