"The care and treatment my dying grandfather received"

My grandfather was admitted to St John's Hospital into Medical Admission Unit (MAU) with a suspected urine infection, he was extremely delirious. His first night in MAU I had to call ward as I was concerned about him as he had just called me distressed, the nurse advised they would go and check on him, who I thought would have treated him with compassion and care as he was clearly agitated and confused, instead he was told not to call me and upset me by the nurse looking after him, my grandfather was extremely distressed by this.

He was then moved wards to ward 8 where after a week it was discovered he had terminal cancer. There were some nurses and HCAs in ward 8 who were fantastic with my grandfather and the other patients, however there were some that it seemed did not want to be there.

My grandfather had a stroke prior to this admission and at times was finding eating difficult due to issues with loss of power in his hands he was left to attempt his meals himself due to the difficulties he would just not eat. There were patients with dementia constantly being put into bed or on the chair to sit where it was clear they were unstimulated.

I had to notify nurse on a visit that my grandfather's feet had changed colour and were very cold to touch, which which indicating loss of circulation. Nurse tried to dismiss my suggestion and said his toenails needed cut, I disputed and requested a doctor come down to check over, doctors too were dismissive that this was circulation issues, it wasn't until 2 days later he was given an emergency scan where it emerged he had a 75% blockage blood clots in his legs.

My grandfather was in extreme pain and the colour of his feet were turned black he was left on an open ward with 5 other patients who had dementia, the ward was so busy and not the environment for a dying man. I understand the hospital is busy etc but there was no dignity in his final days in this ward. Some of the nurses were amazing and they really tried but when it's only a small proportion of the staff who genuinely seem to care this is when the care patients are receiving are below standards which they should receive.

My grandfather after the emergency scan was moved to High Dependency Unit where the care was fantastic, all staff so very attentive and caring, I really felt like he was looked after in this ward. Sadly he was then moved back to MAU as the beds were needed in High Dependency Unit. My grandfather was in extreme pain with the blood clots and the cancer and at times was waiting over an hour for pain relief, I was having to continuously ask for pain relief for him he was visibly screaming in pain.

The nurse who was looking after him on the day shift was great and tried their absolute best to fulfil the requests as and when. They were extremely over worked and I do feel sorry for them.

My grandfather was then moved to ward 9 where the staff were fantastic there was not one staff member who I could fault, they were attentive to him, he was finally treated with dignity and respect in his final days. The staff were fantastic with him I honestly can't fault them.