"Disheartened Nurse"

I went to visit a relative in hospital who had been unwell for a period of time. When I entered the ward I was so disheartened to see an environment where patient dignity, confidentiality & privacy went completely out the window all because of pressures the staff were being put under to find space that they did not have for patients. How is this acceptable or even safe?  

Having a nursing background & having worked on wards, I am fully aware of the pressures the system is under but never have I felt more frustrated, sad & angry all at one time. 

There were patients lined up along corridors in beds with not even a screen around them for privacy or to maintain their dignity. No call bell, no emergency buzzers, no oxygen/suction points to hand. The staff base was turned into a patient bay with only a privacy screen between patients & the workstation.  

I have nothing but admiration for all the nursing, clerical, domestic & medical staff working in that environment on a daily basis. 

My heart goes out to the patients & staff who are working in a service that appears to me to have already crumbled.