"Lack of communication and basic common sense"

Frustrated and anxious.

My elderly mother was admitted via A&E. She was treated swiftly and the team that night were fantastic. Transferred to MAU, again looked after well.

Moved to Ward 12 and I feel that communication and common sense went out of the window.

I felt that care plans were not followed, and felt that staff were there just for the sake of having them. It took 2 days for a note to be put on the board above bed to state mum was vegetarian and she was consistently given inappropriate food, several requests made. I don't feel that it is acceptable to inherit the previous patient's food, just because it was ordered. I arrived to find my mum with cold hard congealed gammon and mash. Mum won't vocalise what she wants clearly so accepted what was given. She is in her 80s and has vascular dementia.

Request for speech and language assessment done, paperwork filed, mum continued to be given food we felt was inappropriate. Staff gave mum capsules when pharmacy had changed meds to liquids, the nurse said mum was happy to take tablet. Again I had to remind the staff that mum had vascular dementia and would agree to anything. 

I filled out a"This is me' booklet which was put in mum's folder. I don't believe it was even looked at.

I helped mum fill out the menus for the following days, as I knew what she liked. The Friday menu was mostly meat, with cauliflower cheese for the veggie option. Mum hates this. I took advice from staff and I was shown how to request an omelette. Next day I find mum moved to ward 11 and facing a sausage casserole. I didn't see her with any lunch that day apart from pudding.

Mum's wash bag was not transferred with mum to ward 11. Ward 12 told me it went with her, but obviously did not. Ward 11 staff found it.

Drinks: Mum barely drinks, and it's a constant battle to get her to have fluids. I was told by staff on Ward 12 that she had drank well - 300mls on one morning! If water is measured by what is left in the jug then it's not a true reflection on what the patient is drinking. I am concerned about lack of supervision for patients whom I believe are vulnerable.

I felt that observation in taking medication correctly on ward 12 was appalling. Mum couldn't even swallow the tablet. I arrived to find it on her lap. The fact she was taking liquid for some of her meds, beggars belief that they would attempt to administer a bomb size antibiotic.