"What I didn't like!!! The ..."

What I liked

What I didn't like!!!

The car parking was abysmal, with only one pay and display machine. As it took so long for my mother to be seen, it cost £4 but saying that the staff were very helpful in organising an alternative when I was told that my mother wouldn't be seen for some time.

While waiting for the doctor to arrive, I asked where there was a water dispenser, but was told there were non, unless you went to A & E, which I was reluctant to do just in case the doctor came while I was away. It was decided that my mother would have to stay in all night, but unfortunately all the other patients were male, and as she is widowed and is 83, she was quite distressed about this.

The consultant saw her in the morning, and prescribed some tablets, which the Hospital didn't have, so she couldn't take any straight away. Relatives were not told she could come home, and she had to wait until 2.00 p.m. to come out, and she had been sitting in the waiting room since 11:30 a.m. The whole experience was unnerving and unpleasant for my mother, so you can see why elderley people are afraid of going into hospital. My mother had to wait until 2:00 to leave hospital and only had 1 slice of toast during that time.

What could be improved

More understanding towards the elderley when they need to stay in hospital overnight.

Water dispensers available for patients/staff/visitors.

More privacy given in mixed care wards.

Brighten up the wards if possible, e.g. lick of paint, nicer curtains.

Checking on patients needs more often.

Other hospitals have pay stations which seem a better option to pay and display machines.

Definitely more cleaning is needed.

More hand washing, especially by staff/visitors when entering the ward. I went on a cruise recently where all the staff/passengers had to wash their hands with alcohol gel before entering the dining room. I think this needs to be done when entering all wards by everyone.