"My elderly mother was admitted ..."

What I liked

My elderly mother was admitted to EMU following falls at home and a UTI needing antibiotics. She needed to drink plenty but there was no record of fluid intake at all.

A nurse rudely reprimanded my relatives for being too many round the bed but was extremely friendly to an equal number at another patient's bedside. Favouritism?

My sister, also a trained nurse, expressed a desire that my mother not be transferred to a particular ward. Nonetheless, she was. No communication whatsoever preceded transfers to other wards, nor to inform us she had undergone a scan following another fall.

When being mobilised, a cannula in her arm was dislodged. No one noticed except my visiting niece who remarked on the blood running down my mother's arm. As she is on anticoagulant therapy, that is a little worrying.

Since being admitted 10 days ago she has been moved 4 times.

I believe we have some cause for concern.

I have worked for 30 years as a trained nurse, in and outside the NHS and I must tell you that I am very disappointed with her care. What is wrong with nursing care today?

What could be improved

Communication between nurses and nurses, patient/relatives, particularly where ward transfers are concerned.

Name of assigned nurse displayed at bedside

so that patient/relatives know who to seek for information.

Any information given should be comprehensible but not condescending.

Teach nurses to be courteous. (most are).