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With regards to my Dads stay in Kings D2 ward at the William Harvey Hospital I was disgusted at the level of cleanliness and strong smell of urine, the rubbish left by nursing staff and the over al attitude of some of he nursing staff to both my Father and to some elderly patients that seemed to suffer from mental illness. Firstly, with regards to my Dad, during his months stay while awaiting a transfer for neuro pysio was not on one occassin offered a single shower which for a normally well groomed individual he found mortifying. in the whole of his stay from first admission and then his transfer to Kings Coll Hosp in London and then back to William Harvey (taking 7 weeks in total) he had one shower prior to his operation. My Dad then contracted a urinary infection which he advised the nursing staff of very early on; explaining that he felt like his cathater was bloked and that he had pain in his lower abdomon however the senior ward sister told him that they did not have time to check in, this resulted in an acute e coli infection; fever, high blood pressure, severe heachaches and increased heart rate at which I had to insist that a doctor was called and explain the severity of the situation. when the Doctor came to see him she did not clean her hands or don gloves to examine him. I had to ask her about pain relief to help him cope with his headache and stomach pain and for something to lower his raising tempurature. When I later called the ward to ask about the risks of e coli to my family and I, I was told that I had nothing to worry about.... and that I had no right to any information with regards to his condition over the phone. On numerous occasions while visiting my Dad I found swabs with blood sitting among his personal items from when he had been given tests or has blood taken. on one occasion a disposable bed mat was left on a bed side chair with faeces on it. My dad on one occasion was left to slide out of his wheelchair and then left like that for over half an hour even though there were nursing staff on the same ward and he was calling for help ( this was witnessed by another patient who also told me about it.) On many occasions while visiting my Dad on a daily basis I noticed other patients who appeared to be suffering from dementia being left unwashed, unfed, poorly clothed and in a complete state of utter confusion. I have to say that a handful of nurses were outstanding, however I was also overwhelmed by the lack of nursing skill, of empathy and general caring attitude of many of the nurses that I came across. I understand that understaffing issues are a real problem, but if all the staff worked to the same level of care as those that stood out to me I believe that the patience would stand half a chance .....
"Very upset about the standard of care provided by..."
About: William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) Ashford TN24 0LZ
Posted via nhs.uk
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