"Lost personal belongings and staff apathy "

My elderly father was admitted to A&E in early December 2012. We brought in some personal items and his medication. His medication and slippers were lost.

He was eventually transferred to Tandridge Ward. He developed the D & V virus. We visited him not knowing that he had this and consequently we were also struck down with the virus. A quick phone call to us could have prevented this. I mentioned this to this to a member of staff who appeared unconcerned and just said that is was a very virulent disease and that I could complain through PALS.

If we had been told we most certainly would not have driven from London to visit my father. I noticed that after about 2 weeks the hospital decided to close wards by putting notices up at the entrance. Not very helpful when you have already had the virus.

At some point after this I discovered that my father's glasses were missing. I searched everywhere for them and asked staff if they knew what had happened to them. No one could help.

Finally at the beginning of January, my father was going to be transferred to Crawley hospital. I only discovered this whilst making a call to the hospital to speak to my father. They said they were trying to contact me. I then asked if they had found my father's glasses. They said they had.

When I visited my father in Crwaley hospital (Caravell ward) I discovered that they had given him someone else's glasses. In order to make progress with his walking he really does need to be able to see. I have tried unsuccessfully to get him new ones but he needs to have a new eye test. The cost of an optician visiting the hospital would cost £50 and the price to replace for a new pair of similar bifocals will cost £130. His towel was also lost.