"Continuity in communication and 5 moments"

My father has bounced around nearly every ward and department over the past 18mnths since he had an illeostomy following a bowel obstruction which has caused short bowel syndrome. He has had Colon cancer and a tripple bypass and has had 3 ablazions. He now has AF/ end stage heart failure and renal failure oh and not to mention he is Type 2 Diabetic. So you might think that he has quite an extensive set if notes and there is plenty of information on him. One would also assume that sharing of information between wards and departments was pretty easy with the computerised systems in place but this is not what we have found to be true. We are constantly having to reitterate information from ward to ward and between Doctors who dont seem to talk to each other or read notes. My poor mother gets anxious because it feels like no one is listening and their is no continuity in the care. For someone who is stressed and worried enough by my fathers illness,( he is 82yrs old. He also has confusion and is muddled so he does not retain information at times ) it just adds to the worry. She has no idea what the treatment plan is, or who she is supposed to be asking. We have asked that they speak to her as well as him or preferably both together to make life easier.She is 80yrs old. She is disabled and walks on 2 sticks. It is a mamouth task for her to get there every day. She knows she can speak to the nurses or the doctors but she feels like she has to repeat herself constantly to every new face. Also he was in one ward 3 weeks before they realised he did not have a bug. They had simply not realised he was on regular loperimide and required a special diet despite her telling them on a daily basis that this was the case. They miraculously found it in his notes. This is not a complaint because his care has been excellent and he is very happy but it is a plea for you to sort out your communication.

Second observation is the lack of 5 moments and basic hand hygiene/use of PPE. A Doctor visited my Dad. The Doctor examined his catheter without washing their hands or wearing gloves and left the room without washing their hands. Nurses have assisted him on and off the commode giving personal care without wearing aprons and have left the room without removing their gloves or washing their hands. Domestic staff have cleaned his room, emptied his bin washed the floor, cleaned the loo and left his room without removing their PPE or washing their hands. So far he has not had an infection but that is more luck than judgement. Thank you for listening!