I have addressed the issue of being 'noticed' in previous blogs, so this entry will not reveal any new findings but will reinforce the point that I have been trying to highlight throughout my blogs, which is the absent nature of the patient's voice in any decision making.
Few weeks ago I was waiting for my usual visit from the district nurse, interestingly I don't get told who will be coming or what time, all I am given is the day, which I suppose is a blessing as it saves me from being at home all week waiting. I waited and waited but no one turned up then just before midday the phone rang but before I could answer it had gone into voicemail, and so I found a message from the nurse asking if I need him to come or not and I should call the district nurses office and although there might not be anyone there, I should leave a message regardless or keep trying. I was slightly annoyed, as my elbow was in a very bad state and I had assumed the nurse who saw me last would have reported my current state back so the office, whom would ensure a nurse is sent to me without the need to ask me if I needed a visit or not.
I called the office, and ironically they know who I am instantly by my voice which they often take no notice off, so I spoke to the deputy head and explained what happened asking her to tell the nurse I actually need him to come as my wound is very bad. The response I got was so frustrating but extremely hilarious at the same time, as I was told "the nurse is on the way, you can discuss the matter with him when he arrives" so in a state of disbelief I replied !!hmmmm but that is the point he won't come unless you pass on my message', for some reason my words did not seem to register for I got the same response, "he is on the way discuss whatever you like with him". I pointed out again that he can't be on his way for he just left a message with a clear intention of not coming unless I require it. But the same stubborn answer persisted and we went on like this for a good 3 or 4 minutes, repeating the same thing, which I will save you the details to avoid the risk of high blood pressure and extreme frustration, suddenly there was a slight hope as the woman clearly bored by my persistence told me to hold on!!! Progress well, everyone is allowed to dream. For a mere flying minute I thought I had finally made the woman understand, after telling me to wait, she asks another person in the office where is that particular nurse, only to be told he is on his way to me and the woman returns back to the phone and in a triumphant voice tell me, He is on his way to you!!!
It did not matter what I said or what facts I gave them, in their eyes they know best. I gave up in trying to convince the woman, all I wanted her to do was just phone the nurse and tell him that I do need a visit but all she was concerned about is being right and dismissing my voice. I did not have the patience to make her see her mistake all I was concerned about is getting my dressing changed, wound looked at and for the nurse to come. I took matters into my own hand, recalled the last number that called my phone and although I would never dial a mobile number that was not given to me, but situations force us to go against our beliefs and principle, and when people fail to give you respect and courtesy then you fail to treat them like you would treat others. So I called the nurse on his mobile,not recognising my number he replied and was slightly surprised to hear my voice but when I told him that my wound is in a bad state he agreed to come after he sees two other patients!!! so much for him being on the way to me, when in actual fact he had no intention of coming had I not phoned!!
Despite all this hassle and frustration, there was a happy ending in some sort of manner, as I did reach the nurse and he did come and changed my dressing. Not everyone is as lucky, there are so many old and vulnerable patient who would have accepted their fate and not tried to pursue the nurse, they would have listened to the office and spent their entire day waiting for the nurse who 'is on his way' and ended up staying in their soaked dressing! How can such careless people be in charge of people's lives? why does a patient who may be suffering health issue lose credibility and dignity with it too? I end this blog with a question that unfortunately I see its answer everyday 'does physical strength determine the way others treat you'?
