"Disappointed in such a renowned hospital"

Jan 2018 found me in Caroline Ward having had a lobectomy by a wonderful surgeon and team. Anyone who has open surgery is in intense pain afterwards and attached to chest drains, movement is excruciating in spite of pain relief. I was refused help getting onto a commode 3 hrs after surgery whilst still drugged and told I had to do it myself....never mind the risk of falling. My stay was a week long, in none of that time did I receive any assistance to wash at the bedside, just given a bowl of water nor any other help with further commode use. My partner wanted to complain but I wouldn’t let him, I witnessed a couple of patients with dementia being laughed at by Agency workers.....one lady was Italian and they found it amusing to shout “ pasta” at her. Because of this slight sadistic element I was afraid if a complaint was made then it would be worse for me. The NHS staff were very good, it is not them that my disappointment is about. It is the lack of care from Agency staff, one of whom was continually interested in talking about my personal belongings...phone, cosmetic bag, iPad etc. It’s a shame she wasnt interested in doing the job she was paid for which was helping someone who had had major surgery. I realise my bad experience is down to a handful of staff but i feel that lessons should be learnt in caring for the sick and vulnerable. I hope never to return to St George’s and will never forget the awful experience.