I recently visited my (completely wonderful) great aunt whilst she was in Rotherham hospital. She was in ward A2, having been moved from a private room.
On the visit, I found the ward clean and pleasant. Even though it was visiting time the ward did not seem noisy or disorganised but I had a few reflections/concerns:
My great aunt is blind (and currently very frail), she was unable to see that she had water on her table and even if she could, this was out of reach and she would need help to sit up to drink. She was thirsty when we arrived and as she has been coughing, she really welcomed a drink. I did not see anywhere on her board that it was noted that she could not see and I am worried that she was not getting the extra support she needed to stay hydrated.
This leads me to my next point; her call bell was underneath her blankets so she could not find it and was too frail to lift the covers and feel around for it. I had to find the button by following the cable from the wall and hand it to her. There were lots of buttons on the device with images on so I had to but her hand on the right button to press for attention, as she could not look to see the right button. I hope the button is not hidden (accidentally) again and that she can remember/find the right button, should she need it. Is it part of the ward practice to make sure blind patients are familiar with their environment?
She told me the staff do not hear her when she asks for help. Her voice is very weak and she cannot see when there is anyone in her bay to even get the attention of. I feel like this makes her more vulnerable than a patient who can see the call bell, or be heard. I would expect people to be routinely checking on her and offering her a drink. She is far too polite to impose on people so I would want someone to be checking in with her regularly. Of course, staff might be, but she was very thirsty when we arrived and I am worried about her becoming dehydrated. Just drinking the water soothed her thought and made her more comfortable.
I am keen for some reassurance from Rotherham NHS foundation Trust about what their policy is for dealing with vulnerable patients like my aunt? Visiting hours are fairly limited on the ward, this is not a complaint as I am sure it helps minimise disruption, but relatives need to be confident their family member’s needs are being met and some of this (showing her the call bell button etc) seems very much like common sense.
(n.b this was from the start of her time in hospital. She has now been discharged, I have waited until now to share my comments)
"Reflections on visiting my great aunt"
About: Rotherham Hospital / Older people's healthcare Rotherham Hospital Older people's healthcare Rotherham S60 2UD
Posted by Sarah2 (as ),
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Update posted by Sarah2 (a relative) 7 years ago
See more responses from Samantha Robinson
Update posted by Sarah2 (a relative) 7 years ago