"My wife’s inadequate care"

My wife with Alzheimer’s was taken to A&E at the University Hospital of North Tees one Friday morning in October, after a fall and head injury( luckily turned out to be minor).

Because of fall in Blood Pressure and unsteadiness she was kept in the assessment unit that evening. She was investigated with blood tests and x ray chest and was then transferred to Ward 37.

It was difficult to get through to the ward on telephone,and the times I managed to get through I was getting mixed messages from different nurses. She was apparently left to lie in bed, hoisted off the bed to the chair and back and mainly nursed in bed with incontinence pads. She wasn’t encouraged or helped to mobilise or use the toilet like I would have done at home or if I was allowed to visit her. The medics didn’t have the courtesy to let me know what was happening and what the care plan was.

I was then told my wife would be transferred to Victoria Care home in Stockton on Tees, on the Wednesday for intensive rehabilitation . She was seen by a Physiotherapist only after 3 days, She has had no medical input since and she is still off her feet. Intensive therapy hasn’t happened and my wife has been off her feet for two and a half weeks now!

With not being allowed to visit, it’s important that Carers and relatives are updated and informed regularly as to what’s happening to one’s loved ones. This hasn’t happened in my wife’s case and I have been left in the dark with care plans.

This has left me angry and frustrated and is forcing me , having to look into other venues including legal advise, to get help to get my wife have the care she deserves.