"Lack of communication to family"

lack of communication to family with 91 yr old mother with dementia in Whiston hospital

Dear Sir/Madam

Our mother was admitted to the orthopaedic dept recently with a broken leg. She turned 91 on the day she was admitted. She had an operation to repair the leg. Although we feel sure our mother is receiving the best treatment and appropriate care, as a family we are very anxious about her due to her having dementia and is unable to communicate with us whilst in hospital, unlike most patients who are able to use a mobile or zoom for communication. Therefore, we are reliant on communication from the hospital which is totally lacking and this causing a great deal of anxiety on our part.

We are unaware who our mother's consultant is?

We understand the operation went well?

Were there any problems during the surgery?

How she is coping?

When she will be able to leave the hospital and get back to the care home?

Our sister was told she could not visit because of the other patients, but I reiterate, the other patients are able to communicate with their families by mobile etc. Our mother cannot do this.

We understand when a patient has dementia a member of the family is allowed to visit them as a matter of emotional support for the person, it is at the discretion of the hospital and we fear our mother will deteriorate with her dementia and emotional well being without any family contact and she will think her family has deserted her. 

Our sister has made several calls to the ward and waited and waited for the phone to be answered and then told someone would ring her back to update her, no such call back was received. We are totally annoyed about the lack of communication from the hospital to the family.

Yours faithfully

Daughter