"Poor organisation and communication"

I took my dad to the Acute Assessment Unit at GRI following advice from his GP. Some initial bloods and observations were taken by a very capable nurse. He was then put in the unit corridor area along with some other patients. We arrived at the unit at 3pm and my dad did not get a bed cubicle until around 8.30pm...5 1/2 hours. 

During this period not one member of staff approached us or any of the other patients to provide any kind of update or reassurance. We were not advised regarding meals, medication or water...this was on a very hot day. When we eventually managed to ask a nurse re: meals and water, we were advised that this was not supplied on the unit.

Most importantly...even after my dad was placed in a bed cubicle, the nursing staff did not take a full medical history. They said this had to be taken by the doctor who could not see my dad until early hours of the morning. This was at 11.30pm. We had now been in the unit for 9 hours without being able to provide a medical history for our elderly father with dementia.

Why can trained, professional nurses in an acute assessment unit not take a history from patients and their families and pass this on to the doctor? This would allow families to feel supported and comfortable when leaving vulnerable loved ones in their care.

As it was, I had to leave my dad without being able to pass on our concerns. When I called the unit in the morning, I was told he'd been moved and they couldn't give me any information on how he had been.

I understand this is a very busy unit and the staff work hard, but the organisation and communication I experienced was a complete mess. Someone needs to keep people informed re: waiting times, access to food/ drink and take a medical history! I feel that nurses are perfectly capable of doing this and this unit should not rely on waiting for a few doctors to speak to patients and their families. A truly terrible experience.