"Poor standard of nursing care"

I was admitted to Monklands hospital late last year with spinal condition.

The ward was dirty. The staff I came across were unfriendly. I didn't feel that there was continuity in my care - I was told I was on bedrest, only to be told off by another nurse for not going for a shower. I was unable to bend down to put socks and slippers on and was moaned at by a nurse for asking for help. I explained to a nurse that I didn't think my bladder was emptying properly. My fluid balance was not measured. I heard the nurse tell the doctor (who incidentally was very nice) that I couldn't "pee" but that I'd just been to the toilet. No-one thought to scan my bladder.

I was told I was going home the next day so on that morning I packed my bag and called my husband to pick me up. A nurse asked where I thought I was going. I replied, 'home' and was then notified that there was an ambulance on its way to take me to another hospital for surgery. When I arrived at the Southern General, one of the first things they did was scan my bladder and I had a retention of over 600mls.

I would also like to add that the care I witnessed of some of the older people in the ward was shocking. I thought they were sometimes spoken to in such an unkind manner. I heard one lady was given into trouble for being sick.

I teach nursing and decision-making in healthcare. I would be appalled if any of my students turned out like some of these nurses that I met in Monklands.