"Not impressed"

What I liked

When asked, my mother did confirm that she was being well looked after and seemed ok in herself.

Cleanliness of the ward seemed excellent - a finger ran across the top of the privacy curtain rails showed no dust/dirt, ditto across the top of the room door - but then this is a completely new hospital !

What could be improved

Access to ward (for visiting purposes)

Telephones answered

(Certain) members of staff to be taught people skills & manners

The portable television station/s to actually work properly.

Anything else?

My elderly mother is currently being treated on ward 32 at this hospital and as a visitor and next of kin, to date I am extremely concerned about certain aspects that I have en-counted whilst visiting and contacting the ward.

1). Telephones are frequently going unanswered (I have 3 numbers for this ward) - yesterday I gave up completely after trying for a over an hour - even the switchboard couldn`t be of help, although the operator did express his own frustration at the problem and admitted that around a third of all calls to that ward had gone unanswered that day. This matter is now the subject of a formal complaint.

2). The staff that I have so far been in contact with appear to have attitude problems - I certainly hope that their nursing skills are better than their people skills.

3). Access to ward during visiting times - can only be described as being like getting into Fort Knox - the doors are locked (electronically) with no visible staff present. I was only able to gain access thanks to a cleaner who was exiting the ward at that time.

4). General lack of (visible) staff - the place was more like the Marie Celeste.

My overall impression is that the manager/s seriously need to buck their ideas up and get their act together.

In comparison, DDH, where my mother was transferred from couldn`t have been more friendly, helpful and reassuring.