"Staff didn't offer water to my nan"

My nan is currently in hospital, and I have visited her a number of times.

On one particular visit, the domestic nurse came through the ward and offered everyone water other than my nan. She paid no attention to my relative. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, and waited for her to come back. When she did, she even entered a closed cubicle, offered those inside a drink, and still ignored my nan.

My nan then politely asked for water. The nurse looked at her with an expression I can only describe as looking like she’d just received a blow from Mike Tyson. I can think of no reason why she would act like this, she had no problem offering the others a drink.

The only thing I can think of, is that it was down to the colour of her skin. All of the other patients were black, and the nurse was black, but my nan is white. There was no other excuse. I understand that at times, staff are under an immense amount of pressure. In these circumstances I can give the benefit of the doubt. However this nurse has no excuse of reasonable grounds for her behaviour.

I personally need the hospital, as it is very local to me, so I don’t want it to close down. But, you can see why they get a bad reputation and are doing themselves no favours with the nurses disgusting attitude. The hospital may make excuses such as the cleaners/domestics are contracted out, but at the end of the day the hospital pays their salaray and should have an overview of the way they work.

I’ve seen the NHS change over the years, from the amount of nurses to attitudes of staff. It’s moved more from the care side to individuals wanting certain things, such as managing a ward etc.

As a visitor, I can walk away at the end of the day, no matter how bad the care is. However, my nan is left in the hospital at all times and the poor care is not good for her.