Hospital Experience

[Gardian]

For Mrs G, not me.

She fell at home, serious prang to her back, thought it'd be OK, it wasn't, went in to our local hospital Urgences six days after the fall (and yes it was daft to leave it that long, but you sort-of feel that its always going to get better of its own accord).

Anyway, seen within 10 minutes of arriving.  Full examination + medical history etc.  Urgences busy-ish but very prompt attention.  One slightly injured drunk (at 11.00 in the morning) in an adjacent room. I won't elaborate on the rest of what we heard and saw - suffice to say that the medical profession have a lot to put up with.

After loads of tests which took hours (no criticism - they take time), the decision was taken to admit her. Bed sorted within 5 mins. Solo room, perfectly satisfactory facilities although somewhat short of 5*, full time interest in pain relief.

It was strange: the ward was virtually empty. When I say empty, I reckon no higher than 35% bed occupancy (36 beds on the wing, a mix of solo and 3-up rooms). I can only assume that it being an orthopaedic ward, many of the 'clients' were waiting till the end of the hols for the consultants to return. The rest of the hospital was the same: shop, library, just about anything else in a state of hold.

The consultant (let's call him that for the sake of arguement) was an *******.  Whenever he appeared, it would be with an entourage of students. No questions or comments were ever addressed to Mrs G: it was as if he was a pathologist discussing a cadavre on a slab. On his visit immediately prior to her 'release' today, she gave him a list of four questions (in French) relating to her ongoing situation.  Ignored.  Mrs G ranted at the leading nurse, who quite correctly declined to comment.

Point of the thread?  Well of course, to share an experience of hospitals over here.  Facilities: 7/10, food 5/10 (its never that good, is it?), cleanliness 9/10 (constant process), diagnosis & immediate clinical action 10/10, general nursing care & interest 9/10, senior clinician ongoing action & communication 3/10.       

[NormanH]

As you know I have considerable experience of teaching Hospitals in Montpellier and Marseille . (I imagine yours might be in Nîmes given that you live in the Gard) I have always been in single or double rooms.

I found, as I think I have posted  before, that one has to identify the nurse who will accompany the Consultant, and feed her your concerns and questions. She should make sure that they get asked for you during the consultation.

Although my French isn't bad I always found that she would be more incisive and could cut back my long winded descriptions to a  few pertinent phrases which saved time.

There will also usually be a couple  senior assistants who alternate and a permanent intern who is there almost all the time when the great man isn't and who are much more open to discussion and questions. In my case  a junior doctor often came back after the rounds to tell me what was the result of the discussions about me, and often did a separate visit in the morning to have answers ready for the verbal examination s/he might get from the Professeur during his whirlwind tour.

My last visit on the 1st August found the ward in much the state you describe (it was to be closed the following week for holidays) but the intern gave me his personal telephone number so I could call for the results of the biopsy part of the procedure in case they came though while the ward was closed, a number I didn't need in the end as he remembered to call me himself.

I would agree with much of what you say, except that the food was a bit better (well balanced with fresh fruit and yoghurt for dessert,  melon with chopped fresh mint as a starter, leg of roast chicken and ratatouille and a slice of cheese with a roll). Wine doesn't seem to be available in Montpellier, although  a quart of cheap red will be served if you ask specifically in Béziers. [B]

[sid]

I've just had a cataract removed and a lens implant, relatively minor compared to some of the procedures other forum members have undergone. I have nothing but the highest praise for the staff, the cleanliness of the place (Clinique de Cognac), the care and attention to detail, and the aftercare. I had to book a room even though I was only there for 4 hours in total. Breakfast was provided after the op, basic but palatable (I'm a VERY faddy eater). I think long-term the food would be an issue for me though.

What particularly struck me was the complete absence of clutter; thus it's easier to keep the place clean, and it was spotless!!

If ever I have to have a more serious reason to visit a local hospital this has certainly given me reassurrance.

[Gardian]

[quote user="NormanH"]As you know I have considerable experience of teaching Hospitals in Montpellier and Marseille . (I imagine yours might be in Nîmes given that you live in the Gard) I have always been in single or double rooms.

[/quote]

Bagnols-sur-Ceze, so certainly not a teaching hospital.

I doubt that it has more than 150-ish beds, but its a perfectly reasonable place serving quite a wide community.

Anything 'complicated' certainly goes to Nimes or Montpellier. 

[NormanH]

I have sent a pm.

By all means contact me in pm if I can be of any help

[Keni]

Unfortunately, I too recently had a short experience of a French Hospital., trying not to be (very) ill.

 I had been cleaning the bathroom and suddenly I discovered the earth would not stay still, so much so I was hanging on to the ground, lying down! I was diagnosed with vertigo (new one on me) and have never felt so ill.Visited the Doc with a letter from her, OH drove me to Limoges CHU, where I went into their A&E.

Within a short space of time, was examined, put on several drips and left to rest to see if it would settle, which it did not so was admitted. The next day a barrage of tests, including a CT to find the problem, still hooked up to drips and was looked after very well by ORL Specialist, who endeavoured to find an English speaking nurse for me (no problems though, I just spoke French). Had a physio each day as well.

After four days in double bed ward, very clean and good food (no wine at all though any only drink offered was a cup of tea at breakfast, apart from water), went home with medication and prescription for several vertibrae massages!

Couldn't speak highly enough of the gang on the second floor looking after me.[:D]

[idun]

This always surprises me, as where I used to live is obviously so understaffed in comparison to other parts of France. That can only be the reason why we always had wait so long for everything. In fact how can they have all that staff so that people can be seen so quickly? I don't get how it works.

[Gardian]

Idun .............

As with everything, comparisons are almost impossible to make.

We turn up at Urgences on a Thursday morning in early August at a hospital many, many kms from a motorway. There was just one other person in the waiting area and she wasn't a patient. I counted 3 doctors and at least 5 nurses there, but there quite a few patients scattered around the multiple booths. I suspect that the majority of them were folk who'd been brought in that morning from whatever problem they'd had overnight. Some immediate attention, then see how they are.

I can only speak as I find where we live. Very quick attention, excellent clinical care.

Our elder son (who has played rugby on Saturday afternoons for umpteen years) says that A & E in any UK hospital at around 17.00, is a place not to be!!!  Doubt that its much different where we now live: depends on the time of the day / week. 

[idun]

Yes, Gardian, over the years I have heard the same story on here. But where I lived it was no different to any A&E I have been to in the UK. Youngest plays rugby these days and we still have visits to A&E. Same, same every time.

Simply apart from a heart attack, a visit to an A&E means a six to 8 hour wait where I live, France or UK.

How many times have I heard UK friends tell me how marvellous the french hospitals are, seen instantly in A&E by Doctors and nurses. And the question is, what on earth would they have been doing if they hadn't gone in. There are probably only three Drs working at the A&E we used to go to, and they are very busy. Apart from me getting there at 6am, I have never seen it empty, or even a few people. So maybe, the theory is that all A&E's have to have say a 3xDr 5xnurse staffing level whether they have patients or not? Some paper pusher pillock on a big salary, could surely have thought that one up![:-))]

And now I am smiling, because if there is a place where things can be quick and easy, I will end up at the place where things takes ages and are difficult. My toast always falls butter side down with these things. [:D]