My mum was recently admitted to Ulster ward 3B via ED with pneumonia.
The care she received from nursing and medical staff was excellent but this was her second admission were she was nursed in a corridor (2018 and 2025).
Whilst we appreciated bed capacity was v high and were grateful she was out of ED allowing them space for other people in need, and that she was low risk- eg not requiring oxygen, the corridor is not a space where care is dignified, private or even meeting basic human rights.
She was forced to rely on kind staff giving her their security passes in the night to get access to a toilet.
There was no privacy for care or discussions.
At one point there was a concern of her having C-diff. She had a high temperature, high white cell count and loose stool post antibiotics. During this time she continued to only have access to the staff toilet. That other corridor patients were also using. When asked, there was no attempt being made to relocate my mother as there was no capacity in the hospital.
I have serious concerns about the care this trust has for its corridor patients and its own staff being infected with C-diff.
Gratefully her sample was negative. But zero risk assessment or safe guarding or following of IPC protocol was seen.
I understand the system is under extreme pressure, that capacity and bed/patient flow is complex. But as mum was also a corridor patient in 2018, what has changed in the interim years that means the problem isn't fixed, it's worse?
The credit of the staff's dedication, duty and professionalism made her feel safe and cared for. But I feel they are being let down by the system. Let down by the trust. Adding extra patients, extra workload, moral distress of caring for patients not to their standards and values.
I appreciate this will not be enough to provoke the change that is needed, but staff's dedication being used up will only lead to burnout, increased incidents, and poor retention of staff.
I appreciate this opportunity to express the family's gratitude to the staff again for mum's care. But also my sincere hope that when the family experience care in the Ulster in the future, that the system will have improved from 2018 and now and that corridor beds are not relied on as the normal system to fix capacity. It is a short term measure that has been continuing for at least the 7yrs our family have experienced.
"Corridor care in the hospital"
About: The Ulster Hospital / Ward 3B The Ulster Hospital Ward 3B Newtownards BT16 1RH
Posted by columbarp85 (as ),
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