"Communication to the family"

Although the cleanliness and care is of a fairly high standard on the ward I felt that very little information is shared with the family in respect of our elderly relative who has been staying on the ward for almost a week.

We are yet to be updated by doctors as to our relatives condition, recovery and prognosis. We do not know what medication is being given. Our relative was admitted through A&E due to shingles pneumonia and blocked bowel and hadn’t eaten for 10 days, however, he was assessed and placed on C54 but seems to be treated as though he has dementia.

He has slowly started to regain his apatite but can not eat solid food, the nursing staff continue to put large meals in front of him but he can not feed himself as he is physically to weak. Instead of encouraging him to eat or help him they simply remove the meal tray Without our relative having ate a thing! we were not told that he would not be spoon fed if he refused his meal as we had to work this out for ourselves. We asked for soup in a cup as it is easier for him to manage while he regains his strength but this has not been done & we feel some catering staff simply bypass him at meal times.

Extremely Disappointed with the lack of communication between staff and families of the patients.