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Getting blood samples & Canulas fitted

Posted By PinCushion67

"Getting blood samples & Canulas fitted"

About: Western General Hospital / Urology

(as the patient),

After a bladder removal in March, I was back in for infection control by drip, starting at the SAU. I was frozen stiff there after arriving at 10 and had 6  different people trying to find my veins to get a needle in. All failed. It is generally well know I have narrow veins.

I was taken in, ending up in Ward 56 where they then used ultrasound to find a vein.

Several days later I was getting stressed about being used as a pin-cushion. The nurse that night said, 'give me a moment' & returned with a glove full of hot water, that I was to hold in my hands, under the blanket. When she returned, my veins had grown larger & were highly visible. It was easy to insert the canula.

I would like to recommend her for her care above & beyond that shown by the others.

Fiona(?) 

Ward 56

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Responses

Response from Susan Todd, Senior Charge Nurse, Urology, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian 2 months ago
Susan Todd
Senior Charge Nurse, Urology, Western General Hospital,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 12/05/2025 at 17:04
Published on Care Opinion on 13/05/2025 at 07:43

Thank you so much pincushion67 for taking the time to provide feedback on your hospital stay.

I am sorry to hear that you suffered bad experiences whilst you were in hospital. I can only try and understand how distressing this must have been for you. I will discuss with my colleagues in SAU about your experience whilst there and I am sure that I can voice on their behalf, that this is not up to the standards of care that they strive to provide.

I am glad to hear that the staff in Ward 56 have managed to help make your stay with us a better experience.

I will share your lovely feedback with the staff member, they will be delighted to know that they made a difference to you.

I hope that you are recovering well at home.

Kind Regards

Susan

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Response from Leanne Whyte, Clinical Nurse Manager, Surgery, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian 2 months ago
Leanne Whyte
Clinical Nurse Manager, Surgery, Western General Hospital,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 12/05/2025 at 17:27
Published on Care Opinion on 13/05/2025 at 07:43

Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to comment on your experience in our department. I appreciate how upsetting and painful it must have been to have so many cannula attempts in a short period of time but very happy to hear that Fiona used her initiative and compassion to make that process much easier for you and her. I will certainly pass this on to the surgical teams, and Fiona herself, who will be pleased to know she had a positive impact on your experience.

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