"Ward 5E Royal Victoria Hospital - lack of any communication"

My 96 year old Mother fell at home in November 2021. Ambulance came and were terrific with her - took her to Royal Victoria Hospital A & E. The Doctor phoned to let me know there were no breaks in the xray but she still couldn't put weight on her right leg. An OT and Physio were to check on her.

The OT rang me and said that Mum would be staying in overnight. The next day she was still unable to bear weight on the leg so she was admitted to ward 5E to have a CT Scan for soft tissue examination. This was carried out on the following day. I was able to visit that evening (only 2 visits per week permitted) but no results available. Mum was very confused and upset(she has never been in hospital before) . She has 2 hearing aids - one was in the wrong ear and the other was on her bedside cabinet. She was sitting in a chair in her nightie with her legs bare. I was shocked at the deterioration in her mental and physical being. Mum lived alone with help from myself and carers twice daily but she is definitely in a worse condition now. I saw an improvement towards the end of my visit once I reassured her and chatted a while.

For 2 days now I have tried to ring the ward for update on the scan results but they don't pick up. Liaison team have also tried. Yesterday afternoon they put me through but the person I spoke to said they did not treat Mum but would get someone to ring me back but as yet they have not- I was able to arrange a visit for tomorrow.

I have this morning spoken to Liaison team again who are going to raise a paper request for a return call to me today as the Ward are still not answering phone. I realise how busy the staff are but compared to the Paramedics and the Team in A&E who are under extreme pressure, this experience with the Ward has definitely been lacking in communication skills and totally ignoring next of kin. Due to this experience I am more concerned about the care Mum is being given. I hope a stay in Ward 5E is not detrimental to her health and well being as it has certainly been detrimental to me.