- Friday 3 September 2010
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LETTERS: Brokeback Hospital
A reader reinforces Julia Zuccani's experience at hospital. KELLIE BLIZARD
Have Your Say
Give us your thoughts on this story.
Communication in this hospital is shocking and frontline staff are rude.
My husband visited his elderly mother yesterday at North Shore Hospital and she told him she was in excrutiating pain. He found the nurse on the ward unhelpful and decided to come home (over two hours drive to the Waikato).When he got back and told me about the situation, I rang the hospital straight away to see what they were doing for her and I was instructed to speak to the social worker, who would be back in the morning. I was told to ring anytime.
I have phoned 5 times now with the operators being most unhelpful and when I finally snapped and used the same tone to them, they refused to put me though.
We are in the dark as to Mum's state of health and are unable to get to Auckland due to work constraints. My aunt died in this hospital last August after the doctor told my cousin she was fine and could go home the next day. This hospital is the pits.
Patricia Smith
I just had to shake my head in amazement when I read Brokeback Hospital.
Five years ago my 5-year-old daughter had a nasty fall at our local regional park and was transferred to North Shore Hospital via ambulance. It took 35 minutes to get her to the ambulance because of the extreme pain she was in.
On arrival at hospital, a nurse greeted the ambulance, asked my daughter to touch her chin to her chest, which she could do.
We asked for some pain medication but the nurse said my daughter needed to see a doctor first.
We were inside the hospital for barely 30 seconds before we were dismissed - we didn't even sit down.
With no other choice, we had to find a private healthcare facility as we didn't know how to control the pain our daughter was in, nor did we know what the exact problem was.
On arrival at Shorecare, our daughter was immediately given morphine for the pain. She was X-rayed where a very bad shoulder break was found, and her arm put in a secure sling. Specialist follow-ups were arranged.
We wrote to the hospital to explain why no help was given for her severe pain, and why we were dismissed so easily when we needed medical help that as taxpayers we are fully entitled to get.
Surely X-rays should have been taken to see just what the problem was?
A few days later, a senior chap from the hospital rang to apologise, profusely, for the oversight, basically saying it was a bad call on the nurse's part and steps had been put in place avoid this happening again.
Why then, is it still happening to members of our community five years later?
Funnily enough, two days after my daughter's accident, the Herald published an article of a tramper down south who fell and broke his shoulder - he was airlifted out and got to spend two days in hospital. The difference in care was unbelievable.
Hope you uncover lots of similar tales - I'm sure they are out there!
Carolyn Thompson
Torbay
On a Tuesday morning late last November, while out tramping in the Waitakeres, I broke my hip.
Within a fairly short time I was collected by an ambulance team and driven to North Shore Hospital where I was most efficiently attended to.
The very next morning I was taken down to theatre where I was prepared for surgery by a great team of people.
By midday I had had a total hip replacement and was back in the Orthopaedic Acute ward. I was most impressed by the care given me by all the people involved in my mishap. They were always kind and courteous, explaining things to me most carefully.
From the surgeons, the nurses, the physiotherapists, tea lady, ACC representative and all others I encountered I was greatly impressed by their efficiency. Sure they were extremely busy and could probably have done with more staff on the ward; but they all worked their hearts out and I have nothing but praise for the treatment I received.
Anne Davis
I have read the article re Ms Zuccani's experience in her dealings with the North Shore Hospital's emergency department. Obviously I am unable to comment on her particular case, but would like to comment on my experience.
I was admitted to North Shore Hospital's short stay ward on October 9 and discharged six days later. Their initial diagnosis was confirmed some eight days later following a biopsy.
I cannot thank the doctors, nurses and all staff I came in contact with enough. They were marvellous. Their treatment, compassion, understanding and courtesy were beyond reproach.
I am a very satisfied patient. Thank you North Shore Hospital.
David McPherson
Unsworth Heights
