continence care hospital experiences
Dignity means many things to different people. I have continence problems and although I have always been treated well by NHS staff, often with great sensitivity, I have found that a few individuals forget how embarrassing certain conditions and tests can be. Sadly, some of the most embarrassing situations I have had with my bladder problems have occurred in hospital during tests. I have for example been asked if I could 'hold on' for another five minutes during tests, which I couldn't. Had problems and then had to endure a scan, before I was allowed to clean myself up. While on other occasions been told 'not to worry' if I have problems, because the staff were used to dealing with it. On another occasion I was told, 'oh you poor thing', well meaning but annoying. I've also found staff sometimes treat you as if you are lacking cognitive abilities, if you experience continence problems, which again can be frustrating. Or even become over helpful, and want to offer help and advice, even though you may have been dealing with your condition effectively for many years. While I appreciate that compared to the terrible indignities that have occurred in recent years in continence care (Mid Staffs etc) these are minor issues, it still makes hospital visits fraught with uncertainty. For example, I was due to undergo more tests recently, but chickened out, because I was worried the staff would not appreciate how embarrassing continence issues can be for the individual, even in a clinical and care environment. By far the best care I have received has been from continence service personnel, while the worst (in terms of dignity) has been from general hospital staff. I think the NHS is a wonderful institution, and don't want to appear ungrateful, and I appreciate that the vast majority of staff are brilliant. May be better training in continence care for those not seeing the issue on a regular basis would help? Not necessarily in terms of the practical side, but on the emotional and impact that such conditions have on patients etc. Many thanks for setting up this brilliant organisation.
Hi Christopher,
I'm sure there are other factors in play (notably that the NHS 'is incredibly busy' so has to 'push things along') but I think you were making the point that what a patient finds embarrassing, and what a doctor or nurse 'is uncomfortable with' can be two quite different things - and saying 'you needn't be embarrassed' is a less-then-perfect answer to that ?
Hi Christopher
Thank you so much for sharing your feelings, whilst I have not been in the situation myself I have had to support my mother during visits to A & E and she has found herself in similar situations. I know that staff are pushed, and often coping with very difficult situations but that shouldn't mean that they are not respectful or aware of the fact that the patient may have different views about things. I do hope that people will read your post and learn from it. Thanks again