Good 'patient flow' is vital for our ED and hospital processes to work at their most efficient. We report daily on our 'flow problems', the news is full of tales of 'bed blockers' and 'delayed discharges'. How often do we stop and listen to the people that matter?
One of our very talented service managers, Billie Flynn, has listened and put our patient words into the following poem. Perhaps we all need to do a bit more listening...
WAITING
I’m ready to go home, that is where I need to be
But they tell me I’m not fit, that doesn’t really suit me
When I came here I was sick and I needed care
But those days are gone and yet I’m still here
Realising that life just isn’t the same anymore
When you’re told you’ll never have your own front door
Night after night into the darkness I peer
Days sitting wondering , sometimes with fear
What will happen today, will the nurses be able
To stop that man tipping up his bed table
Nothing is private, nowhere for my stuff
Too many questions, that makes me quite gruff
Wishing I could get in a bath on my own
I know that the nurse fears I might drown
Waking up with strangers, those I wouldn’t chose
And the woman opposite keeps taking my shoes
New clothes are required, I want to get them myself
I’m told that’s not possible I'll need to have help
Oh to cook my own tea and make up my bed
And leave the book by my side that still isn’t read
Sometimes I am muddled about where I am
But the nurses are kind and tell me to stay calm
The flowers in my garden, I haven’t seen bloom
Not even the space for a plant in this room
Lights on, lights off, not a switch did I touch
It never seemed to have mattered so much
Time to wash, time to eat
Up you get, let’s move those feet
There’s nothing left its base function you see………
Killing all else that was once uniquely me
When I wake I hope that today will be
The day they have some news for me
For we cannot help agreeing
This is a lonely life for a human being
I’ve had years of living and months of waiting
Weeks of dreaming and days of wishing
That these hospital prison days are over