"Ward J8 Not fit for purpose"

I was admitted to hospital on Saturday 19 October 2024 although a bed was not found for me till after midnight. I was suffering from cellulitis which had spread from a leg infection and I required intravenous antibiotics. At first I was placed in a pleasant Admissions ward but after two nights I was moved to J8, an “Elderly Medicine” ward, which felt as if it was understaffed for much of the time with often just one member of staff doing their best to cope. Most of the patients appeared to be suffering from dementia: three persisted in exposing themselves and one kept moving about the ward in a threatening manner. If there were two members of staff on duty they were able to keep him in or close to his bed, but when there was only one the situation was unmanageable. I want to make it very clear that the ward staff were doing all that they possibly could. I am very grateful to them. It was obvious, however, that the ward was little more than a dumping ground for geriatric patients. My experience was distressing and depressing. The underlying assumption appeared to be that elderly patients should be treated as if they were all senile. It’s worth noting that the usual bedside tv console was not fitted in this ward. It’s a small point, but I think a revealing one.