Coast Hospital

Bernard Wendelin

Description

Part memoir, this book reveals the story of some of the individuals who inhabit the Coast Hospital. There is incident and humour during their routine. Some of the characters will surprise you as they look after their patients and their duty. There is the real tragedy of an elderly patient and the consequences for her foster son and daughter.
A round of daily tasks with the mysterious Sister Pancreatius. She lifts the spirit of patients, visitors and supervises the conduct of many of the staff, even in meetings. Sister P has a wicked sense of humour.
The dedication of these wonderful nurses who are called upon even when they are not in the hospital. Fun can be found in the laboratory despite the serious nature of their work as the staff negotiate the rollercoaster of responsibility with humour and truth. With the routine of a ''normal'' working day, the dedication and love of the staff can be found as Clive and Martha find each other.

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
• Date de parution: 31 juillet 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528971973
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Coast Hospital
Bernard Wendelin
Austin Macauley Publishers
2020-07-31
Coast Hospital About the Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgment Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24
About the Author
Bernard Wendelin is a medical scientist having worked for a long time in pathology laboratories. He has interests in writing good short stories, an extended family and keeping fit. The conservation of our Mother Earth and the Australian way of life is key.
Dedication
To KMW
Copyright Information ©
Bernard Wendelin (2020)
The right of Bernard Wendelin to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Austin Macaulay Publishers will not be liable for any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of the contents of this book.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528946841 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528946858 (Hardback)
ISBN 9781528971973 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2020)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LQ
Acknowledgment
To Margaret, Editor.
Introduction
“Inner tranquillity comes from a development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warm hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease and opens the inner door.”
—The 14 th Dalai Lama
"There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit.
Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there."
—Indira Gandhi
***
Chapter 1
Julie McKenzie drove to the shops feeling chirpy after six months of rehabilitation following her hip replacement. She parked the car and organised herself, then checked for cyclists and traffic before opening her car door. Then got out and put her weight on her right leg. That was a mistake, as the leg collapsed under her, and Julie crashed helpless onto the roadway with her shopping bag spilling onto the roadway. A passing vehicle narrowly missed her, then screeched to a halt to assist the woman.
Julie was re-admitted to the Coast hospital with neurological symptoms from banging her head on the tarmac during the fall, a broken (r) femur and depression. The depression was unmeasurable but definitely a co-morbidity.
Frances Kelty was a woman of determination, her black, curly hair bobbed as she moved swiftly down the busy corridor in search of her second-in-charge. Frances had been nursing unit manager (NUM) in Bayview Medical Ward for five years and today remained convinced that something sinister was going on. This particular NUM was a superb, compassionate woman; skilled as a nurse practitioner, Frances had trained in England after being born in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Frances Kelty also oozed a manner consistent with those who are at the peak in their profession. Frances, at last, found her nurse 2IC workmate, Mary, who looked up to her and sought her advice often throughout their shift together.
“Mary, this is not a hospital. It is a funny farm!”
Mary examined Frances’ face and decided this was not a discussion to be had in public and elbowed Frances into the ‘pan room’, where they were unlikely to be disturbed.
“What’s happening to our patient Nora Robinson in bed 11?”
Mary knew the bed 11 patient, Nora Robinson, as a dear old thing. During Frances’ dayshift there had not been a moment of drama. However, the evening/nightshift records showed a series of complaints from the patient. She was in constant pain and/or the medication prescribed was not working. Frances checked again; the correct dose and paperwork with times and signatures were evident in the notes. A short time later, at 10:30 hrs she had an opportunity to interview Nora with her daughter, Nellie Smith, who was present there to visit Nora.
“Mrs Robinson, your evenings are full of calls for a nurse.”
“The pain.”
Nora Robinson had been born during the Great Depression and was unlikely to exaggerate or whinge. At that moment, Dr Emelia Rhinehart, the CMO (medical officer) entered.
“The dosage and timing is correct, I have checked. Pain management is appropriate.”
“Why is my mother crawling up the wall at night then? You must help her, please!”
Nellie was on edge and barely able to control her anger. Dr Rhinehart could not agree more that definitive action was required. Duty of care.
“A question we will answer, Mrs Smith. It is possible for a dose to not work, but I need some time with Frances this morning to investigate.”
Relief was visible on Nellie’s face as these people were obviously very concerned. There was no negligence on their part.
“Thanks. She is such a dear. I am prepared to stay with her around the clock.”
Emelia took Frances out into the long corridor and pulled her aside out of earshot.
“What do you think, Frances?”
“Nursing staff on the last week of nights… I must look into it; there is something badly going wrong.”
“I agree. Get a reliable person and witness tonight to give the medication.”
Ten minutes later, Samantha Donovan, Clinical Services Director, marched into Bayview ward. Alarmed by the suspicion of negligence or worse, she came to review and fix this issue. Samantha had no lack of faith in Frances, forthright and dedicated as she was. Samantha spent fifteen minutes going over the record keeping and agreed that everything was in order.
“Frances, I want this situation to disappear. What have you put in place?”
“Rosemary will administer the medication with Colin, our bed manager tonight. I have called the afternoon/evening shift in early for a meeting. Set for 14:30 hrs.”
“Investigate all individuals regarding withholding medication. Access to Nora Robinson at any time.”
“I will provide a report by email this morning.”
“Thanks, Frances.”
The afternoon shift arrived for the meeting with Frances. All were looking concerned until Frances explained her mission.
It was a hot day outside. Frances noted Joselyn Windgate wore a cardigan; it seemed odd. Each in turn answered the questions until Frances could focus in on the medication giving procedures. Joselyn was the common denominator.
Frances dismissed the others and asked Joselyn to accompany her to Samantha’s office. They did not have to wait long.
“Hi, Joselyn. Could you recount your duties in the last week with Nora Robinson in room 11?”
Joselyn gave a summary, similar to the end of shift handover. Samantha and Frances listened carefully. Five minutes later, the meeting finished, and Joselyn was allowed to return to Bayview ward.
“Joselyn is from England, Frances?”
“Yes. Came to us with good references last year. HR checked, I am told.”
“I’m from Lancashire, and something is not right. I will email them for confirmation of Joselyn’s work history.”
The Four Corners programme on ABC television prides itself on ‘Investigative TV journalism at its best’. In May
2011, they presented a programme described as perhaps the biggest disaster in the history of orthopaedics.
‘In this age of mass manufacturing, we’ve grown used to stories of cars being recalled to replace a faulty part. If it happens to be yours, there’s a moment of inconvenience and you get your car back. It’s a different proposition when it’s your body, and you may have to go back under the knife. Far worse still, when the recall comes only after your body has been poisoned by the faulty part, and you’re suffering intense pain or another fracture. This new type of hip replacement using ’metal on metal’ technology, made partly from cobalt and chromium were implanted into 5,500 Australians.’ Program transcript ABC, Four Corners
Julie McKenzie was the recipient of one such faulty prosthesis.
Chapter 2
The Coast Hospital’s night shift can be full of discomfort and pain, not the least for Nora Robinson, this night.
Nora writhed as a wave of pain smashed her nerve endings. Nausea followed, Nora vomited and pushed the button again for the overnight nurse. Hospitals never shut; there is the duty of care. A hospital bed manager/night supervisor has many demanding tasks, including protecting the nurses and patients. The Coast Hospital had an efficient giant. Colin Snodgrass: a large man, slick hair in place and impeccably dressed with bowtie. CCTV—his major tool in surveillance from his office. For a man with his frame, Colin could move swiftly when required, and it was unusual for him to miss anything substantial. Colin was a smoker and patrolled the grounds on his breaks—a dedicated operational manager overnight! Rosemary and Colin administered the painkillers and noted Nora Robinson’s return to comfort. They wrote up the notes.
This night as well, upstairs in Intensive Care, a malfunction alarm sounded with the blood gas analyser, a delicate instrument to measure partial pressure of gases in the blood stream as well as other vital electrolytes and acid/base measurements. This instrument was simply as temperamental as a film