"Exceptional care, but let down by poor nutrition"

I was seen in ED in DHH and was in the short stay ward until I was admitted to coronary care that evening, because I had symptomatic atrial fibrillation and flutter which did not resolve despite several interventions. I was obviously concerned and anxious.

The Dr (Ciaran) in ED was very reassuring and looked after me very well, coming back to check on me, keep me updated and explaining what was happening.

The nurses in short stay were nice but very busy, I was there from approximately 11:30-20:00, however, they did not offer me any food/ drinks at lunchtime when the food cart arrived. At 18:30 a nurse asked me if I'd like something, but as I'm coeliac there was nothing available and the kitchen was closed. I had to send my husband home to bring me in food, so I had something to eat at 19:30.

I was admitted to coronary care and the staff nurse who admitted me  was really kind and reassuring, he even made me tea and toast with GF bread and a toastabag my husband brought in for me.

The next morning I asked the day staff to order me something GF from the kitchen, I even heard the nurse ordering something for breakfast and lunch.

2 slices of White GF bread arrived and a carton of orange juice for breakfast. The nurse kindly made me toast using my toastabag again. Nothing arrived at lunchtime for me! Again, I had to ask my husband to bring me in food. Thankfully GF food did arrive that evening and over the next 2 days of my admission. (Of course nothing was offered when everyone else had a biscuit with their cup of tea in the evening.) I don't understand why GF white bread is served, surely that is not a health option. Also the GF choices are abysmal and should be reviewed urgently by a dietitian. In this day and age there should be better options considering the high proportion of coeliacs per head of population in this country.

I would now like to complement the staff in coronary care particularly the staff nurses Apu, Cara, Sharin and Ayana and the Student nurse Orla (there was another nurse who made me GF toast and phoned the kitchen for me and I can't remember her name). Dr Bibish was also lovely, very gentle and explained everything very well. They couldn't have been nicer, so reassuring. Cara and her student Orla really stood out as patient advocates when I questioned the doctor and I was unwilling to agree to cardioversion without pain relief (the ward had run out of fentanyl).

The nurses in the ward all worked well together and were a great team, I really appreciated their reassurance and kindness. They understood my concerns and I especially appreciated how they acted as a strong patient advocate for me when I needed to question a doctor — they handled the situation with confidence, respect, and empathy. They also showed the ability to use humour appropriately to lighten the mood and made a real difference to the atmosphere on the ward.

The professionalism, empathy, compassion and patience displayed by the staff created a real sense of safety and trust in the ward. I can't thank them enough.

In summary, Care in Coronary care was really good. Nutrition for a coeliac in hospital is very poor.