"My care was a shambles"

I was recently a patient in RAH and it was a frightening experience; the staff I came into contact with (nurses and auxiliary) seemed so unhappy, demotivated and bitter within their jobs that the patients I saw were treated with disrespect and neglect.

My care was a shambles and had I not been aware the details of my care through reading my notes and talking with consultants then I would be much more unwell. For example the staff were adamant that I should walk on my non weight bearing leg and I had to insist that they read my notes or speak with a consultants as this was not the case. Getting basic things like a bedpan, water or my painkillers was a task but more importantly all dignity is taken away. I observed all the older patients around me being left without basic care such as clothing, water and food and when patients returned from operations some staff seemed to take delight in making fun of those who were groggy from their anaesthetic.

This behaviour led to me feel constantly unsafe and angry at how I and particularly older patients were treated. A woman in her 80s was so fearful of the staff that after having an accident on the way to the toilet she cleaned this herself and took her wet underwear into bed to dry it and hide it from staff.

I think that the ward needed an onsite manager to eliminate the staffs behaviour by setting a standard, providing positive feedback to the one staff member who, in my opinion, was decent and to discipline those who are being abusive and neglectful of patients.

I intend to take my lists of observations to parliament as any responsive or action you take within the hospital will be futile as it seems to me that this culture is throughout the hospital.

I would advise any patient to have a good knowledge of their own health needs/operation/need for treatment and to keep on top of this.

It felt to me as if you would likely see many consultants who say very little, you wont be 'allowed' to read your own notes and how you will be treated will very much depend upon the mood and size of ego of any nurse on any given day.