James, Gordon, Chris and Lisa talk about their experiences
James Carter has been in and out of hospitals with various procedures and has had lots of treatment. He has suffered from reflux problems and was initially treated at Dorset County Hospital. However, the treatment wasn’t successful and he then had to go to Bournemouth Hospital.
James, from Weymouth, found it worrying going to a new hospital that he hadn’t visited before with new doctors. He had a keyhole operation and needed tubes down his throat, which he found uncomfortable and made him feel sick but eventually helped him recover.
Recently, James has also had problems with his hip, but he was told he was too young to have a hip operation, which he found frustrating. “To keep the pain away they put a needle in my thigh and I am now on tablets which I get from my GP.
“My treatment at hospitals was good but I found it scary having to go to different hospitals and having to tell my story lots of times.”
Gordon Carter
Gordon has recently had open-heart surgery at Southampton Hospital. Gordon, from Weymouth, was initially treated at Dorset County Hospital but then transferred to the specialist heart hospital in Southampton for the operation.
The operation was successful but Gordon regularly has to go back to Dorset County Hospital for checks.
“I do get support – somebody takes me to the hospital for my meetings. I have to keep an eye on my weight and eat more fruit and vegetables. I suffer from diabetes and so have to cut back on the cakes and fizzy drinks.
“The doctors test my eyes for my sight and general health. I do find all the questions quite difficult but they are only there to help.”
Chris Mellor
Chris works for People First Dorset but used to work for the NHS at Dorset County Hospital as a Yellow Health Book Champion.
Originally from Yorkshire, Chris said the Yellow Health Books were a great way for people with learning difficulties to remember their health care. They were also a good for GPs to use because they could easily see what treatment the person has had.
However, cuts and problems with people losing their books have led the service to be stopped. “I have been pressing at Health Action Group meetings for about a year for this to be re-installed!
Chris hopes that the Dorset Care Record will really help people so that doctors know exactly what medication people are on without having to ask lots of questions.
Lisa Dixon
Lisa’ mum became very ill in 2013 and needed to have an emergency operation on her bowel. Unfortunately, the surgeon made a mistake and cut the bowel, which was not picked up.
Lisa said the nurses on the ward were really stretched and kept forgetting things: “My Mum in her docile state had to explain the situation and tell them what injections she had received.
“She was eventually allowed out with a line into her bowel and told that if it ever came out she would need urgent hospital treatment. This happened on New Year’s Eve but we spent hours in the waiting room of the hospital while my mum’s health deteriorated in front of my eyes.
“I had to get angry and tearful before she was seen and then she was transferred via blue-light service to a specialist hospital where a consultant was brought in to fix her.
“It left me with little faith in the system – nobody had the proper information; there was little communication and it took ages to get anything from staff. I really hope the Dorset Care Record will make a real difference.”