"no interaction with relatives or any communication from the staff"

My elderly father was transferred to ward B6 after being diagnosed with a nasty urine infection.

To me, many of the nurses on this ward appeared absolutely worn out and as a result often did not have time to devote to answering buzzers, checking whether toileting needs have been attended to. The bed was frequently soiled or blood stained with the remnants of hypodermic needles and general detritus scattered on the sheets. Despite the ward dealing with elderly patients there was no interaction with relatives or any communication from the staff on this ward to us.

Any calls to the ward are met with a response of "he's fine, much brighter today" but upon arrival it was clear that my father had deteriorated rapidly and was being subjected to a number of treatments.

Then when another relative arrived that day, she was taken to one side by a nurse and told that they wanted to "fast track" his release from hospital and where would we like the hospital to send him. When the relative asked why my father was being discharged from hospital when he was clearly seriously ill, the nurse said there was nothing further they could do as he was in rapid decline.

I think this was a dreadful way to treat the patient and relatives.