"My friends experience on Sandbsnks Ward"

My friend has end stage Cancer that has spread throughout his entire body. Due to brain metastases, he has lost his balance and keeps falling at home. Very recently he has sadly less control over his bowels and bladder.

My friend was admitted to Sandbanks Ward after falling several times s day at home. His home needs to be modified before he can return home. This may take several more days. He is desperately unhappy on Sandbsnks ward. A couple of days ago when we visited, he was sat in wet night clothes. His blanket was soaked through. Yesterday he phoned me in distress because he had soiled himself after the nursing staff had said they were too busy to attend to his toilet needs when he requested it. He says that the nursing staff regularly tell him they are too busy to attend to his needs. He feels quite anxious about pressing his bell for attention. He has not had compassionate or caring nursing staff. He feels like a hopeless nuisance and is ready to give up.

The MacMillan nurses have stated that my friend would benefit from more open visiting. When I mentioned this I was told that I would have to take him to the day room if I visited out of normal visiting hours. This is not practical as he can not sit safely in an ordinary chair or wheel chair. He is at a stage where he regularly sleeps in his bed. He is so near the end of his life. All he wants is for me to sit quietly and hold his hand. It is such a hostile ward.he is desperate to get out of there. He doesn't meet the criteria for a hospice for some reason. It breaks my heart to see him in this environment.