My mother was admitted before Xmas (and died just after) however I was so appalled at the care she received on admission I feel i have to leave this review. This is very disappointing as I myself have worked in NHS for many years and some of the practices i observed and were ale to challenge due to this knowledge would in other circumstances go unchecked I am sure but are all core essential standards of care. Dignitiy and respect On arriving at hospital to visit her I walked into the main entrance corridor/lift area to be met by my very ill and elderly mother (she was under 6 stones at this time , with COPD and admitted for malnutrition as she had become so depressed and stopped eating at home and was confused) . She was in a state of undress and was uncovered in a wheelchair - being taken for an xray by porters. Only on request by myself was she ocvered up (remembering also this was winter) with porter saying 'she could have done it herself if she wanted to be'. I had to ask they cover her up and I did up her clothing (! I also had to ask porter to use hand gel in xray unit) Nutritional care This was her first day at the hospital, the very next day she transferred to another ward and becuase she transferred over lunch time, on visitng (pm) i checked with her and she said she had been given no dinner or tea. I asked nurses on duty who said they would try and get her something ..nothing came despite severl requests ..in the end another relative on the ward shared a sandwich with us for her and i had a banana i could give her . Follwing ar eview she was put onto nutritional drinks. I have no way of proving this but on visiting I noted these were not touched (Mam was not drinking them) I do not think anyone was observing her eating. i really feel the hospital let my mam down terrilbly in what became some of her last few days with us . in complete contrast, she was transferred for psychological suupport to the mental health hospital , where she ws treated excellently in her last couple of days. However , once again Hartlepool hospital services were found wanting , as the transfer occured very late at night Xmas eve and we were asked by ward not to visit my mum beforehand...but she was very upset at what was happening and they left her in this state for hours! Given this late transfer we could have visited her (in normal visting hours in the end) and helped calm her down . All of it an example fo how it should not have happened.
"Lack of dignitiy and respect and nutritional care"
About: University Hospital Of Hartlepool University Hospital Of Hartlepool Hartlepool TS24 9AH
Posted via nhs.uk
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