Spire Bristol Hospital

Reply from Spire Healthcare
Mon, 03 Jun 2019 13:45:09 +0100

Thank you so much for your positive review of your experience at Spire Bristol. Patient satisfaction is at the forefront of everything we do so we are delighted to hear from you.

I am a cancer patient amp; receiving all treatments at Bristol Spire hospital. I have had a power-injected portacath inserted in my chest to which all blood samples can be taken from it amp; all intravenous fluids, medications amp; chemotherapy can be administered. This is an easy access for medical staff amp; extremely comfortable for the patient when veins can become sclerosed with treatment. I have had a contrast CT scan done during my course of treatments using the portacath amp; not had a problem with staff not being able to perform the procedure. I had a pre-op MRI scan last week amp; there are a few issues I feel I need to give feed back on as a duty of care for future patients. Although staff were courteous they did not introduce themselves or their roles or the procedure I was about to have amp; only one member of staff had evident ID. I explained my portacath amp; took my patient ID portacath implant card, which has system maintenance procedure to follow printed on it. I explained I have sclerosed veins amp; had phlebitis in both arms,however staff continued to cannulate into both my hands amp; on the third amp; painful attempt they succeeded. During the scan the contrast was administered manually as the pressure automatically was too painful. It would have been professional if a member of staff forewarned me through the head phones of this instead of me being alarmed that someone had suddenly touched my hand causing me fright. The only explanation that was given to me for not using the portacath was that they did not have the heparinised saline solution to flush with after, the wards do, we don’t! Radiotherapy departments cover many procedures with highly qualified staff with skill mixes needed to operate. I am surprised that if the heparinised saline solution was not a stock kept by the department, why couldn’t it be obtained by prescribing amp; dispensing from pharmacy? I was contacted by the department to reschedule my MRI, it would be good practice in future to find out the relevant history amp; with cancer patients ask if a PICC/portacath lines are in place, then the relevant pharmaceuticals can be put in place prior to patients arrival amp; procedures? If my portacath had been used I certainly would not have endured an unnecessary sore swollen forearm amp; bruised hands which have now subsided or the emotional set back it caused me after. Please for the sake of all future patients be prepared prior to treating them.

Reply from Spire Healthcare
Wed, 04 Jul 2018 12:50:12 +0100

Thank you for such great feedback. It’s excellent to hear that from start to finish our hospital delivered the highest of clinical care that matched your expectations. Its warming to know our staff are going above and beyond to ensure your treatment journey was as safe and as efficient as possible, even when there are ‘blips’. Thank you for taking the time to review our services. We wish you well in your recovery. Kind regards Spire Bristol Hospital