Yes, Mr Bigley. You ran your buzzer. Can I help you? No, it wasn't my father who
called, it was me. Oh OK. How can I help you? Well, you can help by telling me why
my father is still in his bed when he should be having his operation right now!
I'm sick of this! You people are useless! How difficult is it to take an old man
to his operation on time! I can see that you're very upset. Before we talk about
it I need to check with your father that it's OK with him for me to discuss
this with you. What do you mean? That just sounds like another delaying tactic to me!
Yes, I know it must seem like that, but it's important to make sure that your
father gives permission first to discuss his treatment. I'm sure you can
understand that he has the right to agree or not to having his treatment
discussed . Oh well, I suppose I understand. Dad, you don't mind if I talk to the
nurse about your operation, do you? No, I don't mind if you talk to
Sally about me. Thanks. Mr Bigley, it would help if I understood a bit more
about the problem. Can you tell me a bit more about why you're upset? Well, thank
goodness, finally someone is asking. I've been here without for hours.. just sitting
and waiting. He was supposed to go for his operation at 10 o'clock. He hasn't
had a thing to eat or drink since yesterday. Someone just said he could
not go but didn't tell us why. Now we don't have any idea when or if he'll
have his operation. If it goes on too much longer, I'm going to take him home.
It can't be worse than being here. I'm sick of the way you get treated here. No
one tells you anything. I can see why you must be very frustrated by all this.
If I've understood you correctly, you are frustrated about the delay in the
operation and feel that you haven't been kept informed of the reasons for the
delay and when your father is likely to have his operation. Is that right? Yes, that's
about it. No one has bothered to tell my father anything. They've just left him
here starving and waiting for an operation that might never happen. It's
not right doing that to an old man. It does seem very harsh when you haven't
had a drink all night and are probably very hungry. I can help you out with that.
After we've had our chat, Mr Bigley, you can rinse your mouth out with a small
amount of water as long as you don't swallow any. That sounds wonderful.
Well that's all very well and good but what about the rest of the problems?
I know that the time for your operation was supposed to be 10 o clock.
I've just checked with Theatres to find out the reason for the delay.
Apparently the patient who was first on the list before your father had a few
difficulties after his operation. It has taken a bit of time to stabilise his
vomiting. That's not Dad's fault! Why should he have to wait? Come on, Sally..
these things happen. No, Dad. These things don't just happen.
They should know about these things and fix them. I can understand your feeling
that way. Unfortunately, this was the first anaesthetic the patient has ever
had before so no one knew how he would react. The staff in Recovery think that
he should be all right soon. That means that your father will be able to go for
his operation. Sounds like it cover-up, Dad, I think you should come home with me.
I don't believe them at all. Oh, I don't know, Sally. I know that it is hard when
you have to wait so long but it is very important that you have your operation.
Well, I'm not so sure. If it was so important, you'd have made sure he had
the operation on time. I agree that treatment schedules don't always go to plan
but it really is very important that your father stays in hospital. Would
you be willing to wait a bit longer before you make the decision to take
your father home or not? I don't know. Dad shouldn't wait around forever.
I understand what you were saying. If I keep you up to date with what's
happening, would you be willing to wait a bit longer? I guess so. As long as we know
what's going on. Yes. I'll make sure that I tell you how long your father will be
waiting. Thank you, nurse. I would appreciate that.