"Charles Ward services"

My 84 year old father has Alzheimer's, and was suffering a urine infection in February 2013. This caused him to become psychotic and a danger to himself. He was unsafe at home. He was admitted to Charles Ward for assessment of his psychiatric condition. Doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants treated him with respect, dignity and kindness. Although short staffed a lot of the time, they were patient with my father, and his wandering. Once he was more well, he responded to staff with evident affection. They became like family to him. My father also has complex medical needs, suffering frequent infections. These were dealt with promptly by Charles Ward staff, and referrals made for further investigation by appropriate consultants. It was relatively easy to speak to doctors on Charles Ward and there was a culture of involving relatives in the patients' care, and the patients themselves, as much as their cognitive functioning permitted. Dad was on Charles Ward for four months before funding was arranged for a nursing home placement and he moved at the end of June. The care he has received since, and also when he has been admitted to Wexham Park Hospital (several times) has not been of the same standard as that he received on Charles Ward. As a family we really felt that Charles Ward staff cared about Dad and that they provided excellent care. There is a 'community hospital' feel to that ward which is comforting to relatives, and hopefully also to the patients (as much as is possible). Please do not move the service to Prospect Park Hospital.