"Distressing"

What I liked

very difficult to think about anything positive to say

What could be improved

My Grandfather was admitted to the rehab ward after being rushed to hospital. The staff attitude was appaling. Often patients were left without their call bells and other visitors regularly helped patients to the toilet. Whilst visiting one day an elderly confused man who did not speak english exposed himself in front of the other visitors. I had to highlight this to the nurse sat at the nurses station. They proceeded to dress the gentleman and put him back to bed without drawing the curtain. On another occasion my grandfathers dirty water jug and cup had been changed but they had omitted to bring a clean cup when enquiring a dirty cup from another patient was swilled under the tap with their hand and given to my grandfather. Whilst the area was clean a lot of cosmetic work needs to be done to improve the appearance of the ward. There were holes in the wall, Storage cupboards were too high and the walls were pink with a flower border that was peeling off - for a male ward.

My grandfather became bed bound during his stay - a pressure relieving mattress should have been in place (according to his care plan) when we enquired we were told there was not enough money in the budget! 5 days later after developing a pressure sore to his bottom it was then decided to put a mattress on his bed. I had to ask the nurses to review a pressure ulcer developing on his heel - they sent a HCA to look who clearly did not know the grading of ulcers and insisted that the black mottled heel was not an ulcer - I raised his heels off the bed myself - i was told it was not practice to protect any pressure areas - just treat them once they develop!

The worst experience was recieving a phone call early one morning to inform us our grandfather had passed away. We were told we only had an hour if we wished to come and see him - the family live 2 hours away. It would have been nice for us to be there with him when we left that evening visiting we were not told his condition was so critical.

Anything else?

We never saw the Ward Manager once during his month on the ward. This ward needs a visit from the CQC and issues addressed immediatly.

I would have liked to have written a formal complaint but did not wish to bring back the bad memories for my Grandma or Mother. I felt this post was necessary to avoid anyone else experiencing what my Granfather and our family did.

I urge you to deal with these problems your patients are getting a really bad deal.ComplaintsAttitudeToiletsNursing staffCare plansPressure ulcersCleanlinessPatient careFlowersReceptionOpening hoursTelephone