"Experience of below par nursing at Whiston"

Recently admitted to Whiston as an emergency. Doctors were great - caring, thorough and communicative.

I can't say the same for a substantial portion of the nursing staff I saw, especially those working the night shift. Doctors orders regarding medication and fluids were not always honoured, leaving me in pain. I heard nursing staff shout at elderly patients.

One patient with cancer was left without a pillow and spent many hours of the night hanging out of bed - no nurse came to her and as with several of us, buzzers were out of reach. When this patient eventually attracted attention to ask for use of a commode, they was left shouting for assistance after they had finished.

The usual justification is that staff are busy. Frankly,this didn't seem the case. Several spent the evening sat at the nursing station, some were loudly discussing and/or criticizing patients and other staff, eating and playing loud music.

Give them their due, they do some paperwork. I feel heartily sorry for those who are very vulnerable and either can't speak for themselves or don't have anybody to speak up for them.