"HC Pretty Ward (Female)"

My Mother was admitted to HC Pretty Ward in February with a fall following a TIA and residual left sided weakness & chest infection.

She suffers from COPD & Vascular Dementia & was placed on the ward much to my dismay. I am very aware of the current clinical & operational issues all NHS hospitals face these days having worked as an RGN and Senior Nurse in the NHS for the past 30years.

I have to say that i was horrified by the environment on this ward, responsible for caring for elderly patients.

The ward bays are crammed with six beds into what would have originally have been 4 bedded bays. The beds were very close to one another, with absolutely no privacy.

Safe & clutter free mobilisation of patients, staff & visitors was severely compromised.

I overheard an HCA speaking very rudely to a couple of elderly confused patients, which i attempted to address with an RGN on the ward when i attempted to discuss my Mothers care & they couldn't have cared less & tried to defend the HCA's behaviour.

Regards discharge planning.......there isn't any!!

My Mother was physically fit for discharge & we spoke with the ward staff on the telephone regards the strength of her walking and restarting her care.

We were told she was walking fine & without assistance. This was completely untrue & was using a zimmer frame & was very nervous & unsteady walking following her fall.

I tried to address this with RGN in charge of my Mothers care when i went to collect her, they were rude, defensive & unprofessional, especially went i wanted to see my Mother walk to the toilet unaided (as she would be at home) she couldn't and required both the zimmer and my assistance. The care agency had not been notified and restarted, there was no zimmer frame to go home with and discharge medication was incomplete. Regardless of how i broached the issues and situation with the RGN all they would say in response was " she has been seen on the ward round and is medically fit for discharge and couldn't remain an inpatient"!

My Mother had been an inpatient for less than 36 hrs and the ward team were oblivious to many of my

Mothers clinical and care needs.

We do our utmost to enhance my Mothers experience of life as it is now & ensure her dignity and the opportunity to make the decisions that she is able.

Quite frankly i was horrified by this elderly care ward which in all truth reminded me of ancient geriatric/dementia care hospitals, and lacked privacy, dignity & respect for this vulnerable group of patients cared for in a cramped envirnoment. This ward should be a specialist ward with specialist knowledge & experience in caring for this group of patients. I hate to say it; as my Mother has been looked after superbly well in both A&E and Harowden ward many times previously, but be ashamed KGH.