"Routine, basic care that saves lives and..."

What I liked

A Doctor from the Oncology team reviewed my relative who has metastatic cancer shortly after being admitted to the medical admissions unit at the weekend.

What could be improved

Communication

Discharge

Empathy and manners of nursing staff

efficiency of care

Anything else?

Relative was in hospital for 3 days and was moved from A/E to Medical Admissions

Medical admissions to a medical ward

Medical ward to Oncology ward.

Relative had just had 1st lot of chemotherapy for metastatic cancer and was therfore particularly prone to infection. Also elderly patient.

Some nursing staff were harsh, rude and overall demonstrated an uncaring attitude.

In particular the nurse discharging the patient took his drip out and then asked him to press on his arm.When he bled profusely (due to low blood count) she sharply told him he was pressing in the wrong place.

When I spoke to a nurse on the ward she rudely disputed my knowledge of the reason relative was admitted to hospital.

There seemed to be a lack of communication from one ward to the next

discharge nurse on oncology wasn't aware that relative was quite severely dehydrated and constipated on admission(one of the reasons wife brought him to hospital),

The dehydration was mostly due to the onset of new swallowing problems secondary to the cancer.

These problems were not adequately assessed/addressed prior to discharge home 3 days after admission.

Despite being [b]very[/b]anaemic on admission relative wasn't given transfusion for over 48hrs.

Family weren't contacted regarding moves from one ward to next, discharge home or any community care plan.

Wife went in to visit and he was in the departure lounge, so no communication from the ward with wife

At no point did anyone offer relatives wife any support at home

No management plan in place or discussion with family prior to discharge for

1.prevention/warning signs for dehydration

2.prevention/warning signs constipation

3.swallowing problems

Relative was callled at home a few hours after discharge and told needed to return to hospital the following day for a blood test that should have been done prior to discharge.

They incurred taxi costs of £22.AdmissionsCancer and tumoursChemotherapyInfectionsApatheticAttitudeCommunicationRudeWardOncologyCancerNursing staffCare plansOpening hoursPatient careSignsBlood testDoctorsManagement