"Dad's care & recuparation at Lady Home"

My dad has vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s and had a fall, resulting in a broken hip / leg and shoulder. Surgery and post-op recovery was provided at Wishaw General Hospital.

Once dad was well enough, he was transferred to Lady Home Community Hospital. This was a relief as this was closer to my mum’s home and had a good reputation.

In our opinion the good reputation is well deserved. Key points we would like to bring out:

1. I visited my dad on his first night there. When I walked up to his bed I was spotted by a nurse, who (without any prompting from me), got dad’s notes and spent a good ten minutes or so going through those with me to better understand his care needs and answer any of my questions. 10/10.

2. The size and location of the hospital is great. Patients are not only afforded a good level of attention from the staff, but they can view the countryside, farm animals and rabbits. The grounds are well maintained. All these aspects are good for a person’s well-being, including those visiting.

3. My initial impression was upheld throughout all the time dad stayed there before being transferred to a care home.

4. My mum visited at least daily and always mentioned that she was very happy about the high level of care provided to all the patients, at all times of the day, by all staff, i.e., doctors, nurses, auxiliaries and anyone else I have inadvertently missed.

5. Dad happened to be there for the VE day celebrations that the staff had organised. I visited with my mum on that day and its obvious a lot of effort had been put into providing a great afternoon for the patients, with staff dressed in war-time costumes, live music, sandwiches, cakes-a-plenty, tea, coffee and quizzes. It was great to see this, and it had a tangible effect on the patients, many of whom were singing along, tapping their feet, clapping their hands and one even ventured a dance with a nurse. Another 10/10.

6. Finally, my brother and I were aware that it was not practicable for my dad to return home to be looked after by my mum. Nevertheless, that is a difficult bridge for any primary carer to cross. The head nurse greatly helped with this. She first spoke to my mum, gently outlining the options, emphasising that dad was not going to be pushed out the door, but due to demand, he couldn’t stay indefinitely either. Subsequently my mum and I met with the head nurse again and I was struck with the kindness and reassurance shown to my mum. The hospital liaised with social work, and we met with a social worker at the hospital. She guided us through the process of getting dad placed into a home and supported / is supporting in that as I write this review. Again, only good things to say.

To wrap-up, I felt from the outset that there is a ‘good buzz’ in the hospital, created largely from the cheery and engaging nature of the staff and their interactions with the patients and between themselves. Overall, I would like to thank the staff on behalf of my dad, mum, brother, uncle, aunt and myself. Keep up the good work, it is important and very much appreciated.