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My dad's treatment

Posted By nuthatchsc66

"My dad's treatment"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Emergency Department Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Emergency ambulance response

(as a carer),

My dad was admitted with aspiration pneumonia, he has dementia and does not take well to change.

We appreciate the quick care and response he received from paramedics and A&E staff. He was quickly admitted and in receipt of treatment. Staff were lovely to him as he was not very happy.

He was moved to a quieter part of A&E and again was cared for well. I do however have to flag up the fact that his modified fluids were not mixed correctly and he was given fluids in solid form and not to his assessed level 2 requirement. Drinks were mixed with 2 tablespoons as opposed to 2 of the powder measures. He refused to take the fluids apart from the pre mixed drinks we brought in. I would like to ensure staff mix fluids according to the correct assessed level for future patients. 

When time came to move dad to a ward family members and my dad were not informed, despite being together in A&E. The porter came in and they were the one who told us dad was being transferred. Had we been informed we could have prepared dad better for the move. I realise the dept is busy but please don't forget to inform patients and families of what is happening. Thank you for your care.

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Responses

Response from Jill Green, Ward Manager, Emergency Department, Craigavon Area Hospital, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust last week
Jill Green
Ward Manager, Emergency Department, Craigavon Area Hospital, Medicine and Unscheduled Care Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 10/07/2025 at 17:40
Published on Care Opinion at 17:40

Good afternoon nuthatchsc66,

Thank you for taking time to provide feedback about your dads recent attendance in our ED department.

I am pleased to hear that the staff were lovely and he was well cared for.

Staff should be making up thickened fluids as per instructions, I apologise that this was not the case. I can not investigate this directly with the staff involved as I do not have details of your dads attendance, however I would like to note that we are currently working on providing extra training for our staff in relation to patients that have care plans in place for eating and drinking.

I am disappointed that you and your family felt you did not receive adequate communication regarding your dads transfer to the ward. In ED we rely on patient flow telling us when a bed is available for patients to move and we do not always get prior notice of this. I do believe the staff should have communicated better though and informed your dad and family prior to a porter arriving. I will share this in our nursing safety brief.

If you would like to discuss this further you can contact me through switchboard to the Sisters office in the Emergency Department.

Thank you again giving feedback and I hope your father is recovering well.

Sister Green.

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Response from Maggie Hamilton, Experience & Involvement Facilitator, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service last week
Maggie Hamilton
Experience & Involvement Facilitator, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Experience and Involvement Facilitator is responsible for developing and delivering high quality, effective services and processes for NIAS Service Users, Carers, their Advocates, the Public and NIAS Staff across Northern Ireland (NI) to facilitate and enable them to fully contribute to and participate in experience and involvement in relation to the NIAS.

Submitted on 11/07/2025 at 16:53
Published on Care Opinion at 16:53

picture of Maggie Hamilton

Good afternoon nuthatchsc66,

I would like to begin by thanking you for taking the time to share your experience of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. I am sorry to hear that your dad was unwell, it was reassuring to learn of the quick care and response he received from paramedics, which hopefully made the process slightly easier for your dad. As an organisation we are committed to consistently show compassion, professionalism, and respect for the patients we care for.

I hope your dad is recovering well.

Kind regards,

Maggie

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