"A very frightening and frustrating experience "

A strong group of very supportive HCAs and nurses during the day who showed care, concern and kindness to both patient and carer. Ward manager and Sister very approachable and supportive. Night times were variable, with long waits for buzzers to be answered , often covered by agency staff who could be abrupt and unsure about what the individual patients needed. No continuity from one day to a next with nurses or doctors. Seemed to see somebody new every day. Very distressing and confusing for elderly patients , a frightening experience for carers . Long waits for medication sometimes, causing distress to patients especially if they are having difficulty breathing. Carer made to feel , at times, that they were interfering when they only had their parents best interest at heart. I understand that staff are stretched to the limit and that wards are understaffed and struggling to make things work but hospitals should still feel like safe, caring places for patients and carers.