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*Positive Hospital improvements post #COVID__19
Today I had to attend the new Oncology Triage dept @CUH_Cork
I don't normally post about my appointments but this care access pathway for Cancer patients is definitely worthy of a special mention @hseNCCP
Today I had to attend the new Oncology Triage dept @CUH_Cork
I don't normally post about my appointments but this care access pathway for Cancer patients is definitely worthy of a special mention @hseNCCP
Previous to Covid if I encountered problems arising from treatment I would attend hospital through the normal A&E route like any other patient, this was frustrating for a number of reasons and I'd had some negative experiences which always made it a last resort instead of...
a service I felt I could reach out to for help, since #covid a system was established over in the new Glandore building which allows Cancer patients to avoid regular A&E, here they are met at car for temp check after first going through a phone covid check list once all is OK
I was taken inside to a segeragated dept and allocated my own treatment bay, I was met by the wonderful Advanced Nurse Practitioner Mags who runs the service, immediately I knew this was going to be a different experience to regular A&E and could relax
I didn't have to recount my full medical history to each person who saw me, they already knew I was a stage 4 cancer patient, it's amazing how triggered one can get when forced to recount details time and time again on same hospital visit, it feels like noone is listening but...
Not today, today was different everything was swift, efficient, they understood my existing treatments, knew my history, had access to recent diagnostic reports, did thorough investigation included me in conversation about my care, made a plan for follow up, the difference..
to me was immense, I felt cared for, I felt listened to, I didn't have stress of recounting which can make me emotional to think back on, I felt decisive plans were made to address current problems and I felt safe from unnecessary interactions with multiple other hospital users..
I could never understand why a cancer patient was forced to access care through regular A&E, where nobody knew you, you were automatically triaged like other patients bloods done, líne inserted before anyone even seemed to listen to the problem, which then had to be repeated...
Along with your personal description of medical history to numerous medical staff throughout your visit, it is a physical and mental marathon entering regular A&E as a #Cancer patient so I hope @CUH_Cork will hold onto Mags and this new important, improved service permanently
