"Not enough care at the Hallamshire"

I was in the Hallamshire, on Q1. I was in nine days and my treatment was fine. But I wish to speak on behalf of the other patients on the ward during my stay. I used to be a nurse and I know what is unacceptable and what you should expect. The other elderly patients were treated so badly by the night staff! One night the elderly lady in the bed next to mine was asked if she wanted pads on her bed during the night. She was old and confused, and didn't know the answer. I don't think she even understood the question. Instead of trying again, or using her initiative, the nurse left the lady without. As a result she was soaked in the morning. She sobbed and sobbed and said she was so sorry. But it wasn't her fault at all. It is terrible the way she was treated. She was too confused to ask for better treatment and was so upset when her lack of care lead her to wet herself. Unacceptable . Another day, at dinnertime. Another lady was asleep in the chair next to her bed, having been helped to get out of bed earlier in the day. The nurses came round to help patients back into bed for dinner. They left her asleep in her chair. Ten minutes later she woke up and couldn't get back to bed. She was exhausted and sore from being in the chair. She was left crying in her chair, as the nurses were now too busy to help her back into bed. A nurse tried to give me an injection for diabetes. But I am not diabetic. If I had been one of these less able ladies, I would not have known to tell her not to give it to me! It seems that you have to know what is going on and how to look after yourself to get good care in hospital. This seems ridiculous.