"Patient stuck in A & E and hospital system"

First admission, an elderly fully alert terminal cancer patient not advised how serious condition was (given all clear by Stepping Hill in past). As this patient’s family, we did not feel we were given the right information as we thought our relative had bladder infection and hip problems. I thought patient getting better in hospital. I do not believe the MacMillan nurses not informed and I think a wrong care plan given and no information. This patient said to me they were very unhappy to be in hospital 3 weeks. Their GP was also on holiday.

Home care involved 40 different district nurses treating minor problems.

The patient told me the second admission was better, but scans not given until 2 weeks later which I believe meant the patient was stuck in A & E and hospital system.

3rd Admission my relative was very ill and allowed out of hospital but had to wait all day for an ambulance home when terminally ill. Hospital took patient off water tablets but we were told by the "out of hours" GP this was wrong. I do not think the consultant made it clear for my relative to contact the GP immediately when out of hospital. Patient was very ill at home and contacted nurses not Doctors.

I think too many people were involved but with no one taking over all charge until much later when I feel it was too late. I also believe the patient was very ill due to all the admissions to hospital, moving from bed to bed. I would not want this to happen to anyone else.