"A very disappointing experience for my dad"

Ward 54 was a very disappointing experience for my dad. I understand that the ward was short staffed (as I kept getting told whenever I asked for help for my dad) but he felt that he was just a bother and dreaded pressing his buzzer. Staff did not take time to get to know him, even though they were frequently observed chit-chatting amongst themselves when perhaps they could have been chatting to lonely patients. My dad felt isolated and saddened by his admission and hated that he had to be in the ward especially when his room mates were unable to speak to each other. The TV was too far away to watch and the radio was often switched off by a member of staff. Dad was never showered and I frequently had to shave him and wash his hands during visiting.  An injury occurred to my dad whilst in the ward and it was only after I had flagged it to staff and asked for a doctor to look at it that this was done. 

As a visitor, I also ended up being asked for help by other patients in the bed area with pouring juice for them or getting biscuits out, or seeking staff to come, as their buzzers had been sounding for 20 minutes or more. 

There was very little communication forthcoming about my dad and I always had to seek someone out to find out how he had been or any changes in his condition. It often took many attempts to find anyone which just increases frustration and anxiety.

There were a couple of staff who appeared to have time for patients , one of them being the activity coordinator and the other a student nurse.