"Disappointed with Medical 9"

My grandfather was admitted onto Medical 9, and I must say the staff in A&E were amazing and very patient with my grandfather who has advanced dementia and can be very difficult at times to communicate with. The Doctors, would listen to his problems, no matter how many times he would tell them, and due to being a young girl on my own in A&E with him, the Doctors and Nurses would come in and ensure I was okay. We had been in A&E for over 15 hours at this point, waiting for a bed on the ward, and he was becoming aggressive and restless. When we were finally moved onto Medical 9, I was so very relieved as he was on a more comfortable bed and I knew he would then be able to settle and perhaps even have a good nights sleep.

When I arrived on the ward I explained to a nurse that my grandfather had funny eating habits and would only eat certain things. Because I already knew this, when he was having his afternoon nap in A&E I went to Sainsbury's and collected the foods I knew he would eat and that would last, at least till the following evening. For example the breakfast that he likes is the porridge that you only have to pour hot water onto. I explained this to the nurse, and they kindly replied that she would make note of this.

When I went in the next day at 2 pm, I found his porridge pot opened, but no hot water put in. his lunch still in front of him cold with the lid still on, and he was telling me he was hungry. I had brought with me cheese and pickle and rolls, so he could tell me what he wanted, a nurse had claimed he refused any foods and that it was too late to have a hot meal.

This is an 82 year old man with advanced dementia and a red tray was needed for him to have assistance with feeding, even although on admission he did not need assistance with feeding. He was also suffering from a very bad UTI.

I was disgusted at the fact he had an incontinence pad - filled with feces on his table, with no one taking any notice. I was horrified! I also found his catheter bag full and him complaining that his penis was very sore.

I am disgusted at the way he was treated.

On discharge I was also not informed, due to his son (my father) being on holiday, I was the point of contact (due to his wife being unwell also). It was only because I went in to visit that I found him not in his bed but in the discharge lounge, only for me to tell them his wife was also now in the hospital having had a heart attack and she could not take him home. I was greeted with sour looks and lots of huffing and puffing.

I am disgusted at the level of care on this ward.

Thankfully he is now home.