The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) carries out outpatient appointments, day procedures and inpatient admissions. Patients are predominantly from Norfolk and north Suffolk, although some patients are referred from further afield especially to access specialist services.
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2004 responses from the local community
The support has been very good
5
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff14th June 2024
We're here every 3 weeks and the support has been very good. They were brilliant with emotional support when I was first diagnosed. Graham goes above and beyond, we'd be completely stuck without him. The only thing is one of my cancers wasn't found here even though I've had regular scans. I went to London for additional treatment and had further scans. I was told about tumours I didn't know I had in a really 'off the cuff' way which was a big shock. I don't understand why it wasn't picked up in the last four years and nobody can explain to me why not. It's a lot to come to terms with especially now the cancers aren't doing what they thought they would. It's a completely different picture to get to grips with and I don't know who to turn to for support. But the Colney Centre is fantastic.
Attended OOH GP at A&E as directed by 111 and specific time given. Very warm welcome by staff on the front desk. Advised no receptionist available for the OOH GP but to take a seat and someone would help. Waited over an hour and not checked in. No written directions on the front reception desk. I was aware others had waited longer than an hour. Sought advice from a member of staff asking if they were aware some of us had been waiting and not checked in; she then asked a member of the admin team to check us in. I had assumed 111 would have electronically contacted NNUH as time given and directed to this particular hospital but clearly not. Once checked in my daughter was seen swiftly and appropriate treatment given.
Very disappointing to observe a nurse talking disrespectfully and harshly to other patients who were clearly in discomfort . It is very stressful waiting to be seen but having to watch a member of staff be harsh, not patient centred, poor communication, lacking compassion and care only adds to the stress. I am sure other members of the team would know who she is and some should summon the courage to speak up to the leadership team about this poor attitude. It would be much appreciated by unwell patients. This was not ok. I would not have approached this particular nurse had I had any worries due to her poor behaviour, she does after all choose to do the work she does.
In Jan of 2023 I was admitted though A/E to respiratory medicine,with an acute infection I spent 17 hours on Oxygen in A/E before going to Hethel WardAs a chartered physiotherapist who spent 42 years in the NHS , I’ve worked on ITU and medical words, so I know what good care is and the NN did nt provide that to me The nurses on Hethel were hostile when I asked to see my chest X rays and initially refused, until I reminded them it was my right and they were my X-rays not theirs There were clinical errors re my tests recorded in my notes, as I’d read through them whilst waiting for a CT scan on my lungs and when I told the nurses they weren’t at all interested, so I complained to the medical staff I corrected my notes , signed and dated them and agreed the changes with the medical staff When I politely asked the nurses about my treatment plan, what antibiotics were being administered etc, they were v unwilling to answer my questions and I was made to feel I should just do as I was told by them Food was dreadful, usually cold , v little fresh fruit or vegetables Call bells were ignored amd if you’re hooked up on a drip , you can’t easily get out of bed The constant medical team did nt tell me about a ? new lung condition that they’d diagnosed me with, I found out 7 months later at my GP surgery during a routine health check No mention of it was in my discharge report
which is a serious medical error I was glad to get out of the hospital after 3 days but despite complaining through PALS , and having one meeting with consultant medical staff, the nurses on Hethel ward refused to attend or reply to the numerous emails sent to the ward by the PALS team Over a year on my complaint is still on going, because the nursing staff are not made to respond to the issues I’ve raised and the senior nursing management don’t seem interested either
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff3rd June 2024
I felt like I was treated like an 8 year old when I'm 16. I could understand what was going on but they kept checking like I didn't know anything. The adolescent room didn't have anything in it. I had two failed cannulas which left me bruised and a catheter which was very painful. This worried me because the next catheter didn't hurt at all so what had they done the first time?
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff3rd June 2024
My son aged 32 has been on the ward two-and-a-half weeks and will be there for another few. He's got no appetite, struggling to eat and been told it's important he eats. However he's vegan and keeps being given items that either aren't vegan or he doesn't like. These are prescription items so I don't understand why the flavour he will eat can't be ordered. We've brought in our own food for him to be stored and then handed out to him at meal times but then we find out that he hasn't been given them. It's not going to encourage him to eat when what he's given is horrible for him, it isn't helping his recovery. Also the doctor came round yesterday and noticed six tablets including antibiotics just sitting in a pot on the side, we don't know when he should have taken them.
Today I attend the hospital with my son. We just want to say from reception, nurse to Dr for Asthma clinic they were AMAZING! We got the time of our appointment mixed up but still let us be seen. I can’t thank the staff enough for their kindness and care to my little boy! The nurse and Dr 10/10 for explaining everything to me and making it all easy to understand. Credit to the NHS please share this feedback with them we are blessed with the best
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff31st May 2024
I had a call back three days after a routine mammogram because a lump had been found which I hadn't felt and had no symptoms from. I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and the hospital was fantastic. They caught it early so I just need tablets and yearly check-ups now. They were really down to earth and positive which is what you need. I also used the Starthrowers charity in Wymondham and they were brilliant too - I spoke to a counsellor and had some reflexology.
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff31st May 2024
I had a scan in April to check whether there had been any growth on the nodes they're monitoring and I haven't got an appointment until July. I'd like to think that the fact they haven't contacted me means nothing has been found but I can't be sure and that feels stressful. I've had scans before and waited a while to see the consultant to be told there had been growth but I wasn't told this so it is worrying. I've also had to chase up scans which should happen every six months, although this time it was booked in without me chasing. The Big C Centre has been wonderful.