"They would leave food out of reach"

My father was admitted after collapsing at home and transported by ambulance. Ambulance staff amazing, initial work undertaken with him and 1st night amazing.

Transferred to ward 3c and care continued, with a plan to carry out a TAVI procedure as soon as my father stabilised. Standard of care was OK, but the staff we saw were not respectful, with the exception of one staff member. Eventually we found out TAVI was not happening and we had to beg for information or for someone to answer our questions. Some staff were overall caring but the majority of the staff and above we saw were not respectful.

Staff would leave food out of reach, thicken drinks and leave them out of reach or leave my father on his back with a tray of food trapping him. One day he would be fed, next day the food would just be left and no assistance offered. Nothing was consistent on this ward and I believe this was not a resource issue it was more like a culture of ignoring people, for example making people stand in front of you while sitting on a computer and not even acknowledging your existence. 

My father was then moved to a transition ward, again very little communication from the staff on 3c about what would happen once there or the rationale for sending him there. Almost 4 weeks later we are still not clear as to why the plan changed regarding the TAVI and we are not reassured at all that my father is fit for discharge. I understand that the trusts feel under resourced but there is absolutely no reason for the lack of communication and compassion. There is no point in displaying posters on wards telling patients what they can expect when staff we saw don't adhere to it.