District Nurses - Dressing Changes

[buttons77]

Six days ago I had an op to remove 3 perineal sinus tracts. I now have a 4cm deep open perineal wound that I am going to the local surgery daily to have the dressing changed and packed. This is likely to continue for quite a while until it heals.
On Sunday there was no surgery available for me to go to so I was told that the District Nurse would come to me. I later had a phone call to say that, as I am not housebound they will not come out to me. They were not able to offer any alternative.
By Monday morning the dressing was horrible and very smelly so I removed it myself and cleaned it as best I could (not an easy place to get to!).
When I went the surgery later that day they weren’t happy that I had done that as there is a chance the wound will close up if not kept packed properly.
Today I was making the next batch of appointments and am being told that there is no surgery this weekend either Saturday or Sunday so I will be left with the same dressing from Friday morning until Monday morning.
Because of where it is it’s not something I can do myself.
I completely understand that there are people who take advantage of the District Nurse service and they have to put restrictions in place but I am perfectly willing to travel to anywhere they tell me - there just isn’t anywhere to go! Sorry - I’m just having a bit of a rant here.

[Mamyalynne]

That sounds unacceptable, if there is nowhere for you to go then surely they must visit.

Get back in touch and ask to speak to someone senior.

[ummmm]

Have you got a minor injuries clinic at your local hospital?

[buttons77]

Thanks Mamyalynne - my appointment tomorrow is with the DN at my surgery. I’ll see what they suggest and if they can’t help I’ll do as you say and ask to speak to someone senior.
Ummm - not sure, I’ll ask that question too tomorrow.
I hate making a fuss but I suppose I’m just feeling very sore and a bit sorry for myself at the mo!

[ummmm]

We have one in our local hospital to save us having to go to A&E. I've only used it once, I was seen and treated within about 10 minutes (it was a bad burn that needed to be dressed)

[anneasquith]

I'm not sure "walk in " minor injuries is the answer. Someone must either refer you for D.N.. Saturday and Sunday or make the decision to only have your dressing changed Monday to Friday. Good luck.

[anneasquith]

Oh. You are more than entitled to feel sorry for yourself ;+)

[Sqad]

Totally unacceptable and a poor standard of medical and nursing care.

Phone the sister on the ward of the hospital what performed the procedure, outline the problem and ask if you could come up to the ward over the weekend to have it repacked.

[ummmm]

Anne - I was thinking minor injuries for the Sat/Sun. They can change dressings.

[anneasquith]

Hopefully buttons will get some resolution today .

[Eve]

You poor thing, I hope you managed to get something sorted. I had a similar issue with an abscess which had to be packed and dressed properly and when a surgical "wound" broke down/open after an operation. I ended up in a panic as I wasn't getting anywhere that I had to go back to the hospital and they made a special arrangement to help me on a few occasions.

I was just given a list of dressing clinics (my GP surgery doesn't do them) to take away. Both times, trying to get an appointment wasn't easy then for the abscess with packing they said I was meant to bring my own dressings which nobody had explained or given me a prescription for. Not the things you can just get over the counter.

Thought I'd mention the prescription thing in case you have the same.

[buttons77]

Thanks Eve, the practice nurse gave me a prescription for dressings which I take with me each day. She has said she will issue another when I need more.
I am back later this afternoon so will ask about other clinics.

[Bathsheba]

Imo District Nurses are lazy work-dodgers. Imo.