"Shocked by my mum's care at Queen's Medical Centre Ward B3"

My mother was recently admitted to Ward B3, and I have to say I was truly shocked by both the Dickensian nature of the ward and the level of care she received in it. I fully understand that this ward is for acute admissions, and that the intention is to move patients on to wards swiftly, but I fail to understand why patients should be treated in such unacceptable surroundings.

There is just enough room to fit a chair between beds. I can only assume that this is a deliberate attempt to squeeze more people into the space. However it also means that patients dignity is overlooked (contrary to the belief of some nurses and doctors NHS curtains are not soundproof). I am no expert but I imagine that this also afforded ample opportunity for cross contamination. There is no space whatsoever to place the patients personal belongings, but there is a prominent notice saying that if the aforesaid belongings are misplaced or stolen that the hospital accepts no responsibility.

My mother was so dehydrated on the second day of her sojourn in this ward that she had become the most incoherent I have ever seen her. This is of course a nursing care oversight, as was the fact that no attempt was made to perform any mouth care. I was also appalled that, despite the fact that my mother was in clear view of the nurses station, she was lying exposed on her bed at 2. 30 (I. e. visiting time). It appears to me that there is a fundamental failure to preserve patients' dignity and poor attention paid to basic nursing tasks. I accept that some people may have had a better experience however my view of this ward is that it is a medicalised 'holding pen' I will be interested in your initial response