I RECENTLY had to attend Northwick Park Hospital for an operation concerning fibroids which were causing excessive pain and loss of blood.
The operation was scheduled for a Saturday and, in accordance with instructions, I neither ate nor drank anything for 24 hours. I was admitted and then told that, due to an emergency, they would not be able to operate until the Sunday. This meant another 24 hours without food or drink.
The operation was eventually done at midnight on Sunday, but the following day I was told that I was discharged as they might need the bed for someone else. I was still in pain and experiencing the after-effects of the anaesthetic. Nevertheless, they were adamant and I was told to go to a waiting room and telephone for a taxi to take me home.
Now the new Health Reform states that no patient should be discharged while still in pain as this may well result in a return to the hospital, which would cost the NHS more money. And more to the point, it could endanger the patient's health.
I was given no postoperative advice on what to do or what to expect and am very concerned about the dismissive attitude regarding what was, for me, a most serious and painful experience.
C FABUSIWA Address supplied
