"The care of my Mother"

On the whole my mothers care in Leicester Royal Infirmary has been good. Staff have been very helpful when I have requested information over the telephone or in person on the ward, I have also seen Doctors on two occasions, who found time to explain my mothers condition, care and progress. But on Saturday after four phone calls I eventually got to speak to the Nurse in charge on the ward who spoke to me in such a condesending manner I was absolutly shocked, upset and afraid for my mothers care.

On Sunday I arrived on the ward early before visiting to find my mother covered in soup, her chin on bedside table because it was so high she couldnt reach. A student nurse saying "I will have to feed you your in such a mess" there was no lowering of the table so she could manage. At this point I made myself known and ask why she was being fed, and was informed that she couldnt do it, I suggested she lowered the table so she could feed herself and was told it was very difficult to lower table as it was an old type. (and thats my mothers problem how? ) After lowering table my mother started eating her food and along came the Nurse I spoke to on the telephone the previous day.

She was so extremely disrespectful and was very loud raising her voice to me, I did try on several occasions to say I really didnt want to speak with her but she continued, with everyone on the bay listening and patients trying to eat their meal. It was very unprofessional and very concerning that she was in charge on the ward.

I tried several times to explain to her how important it was for my mother to continue doing as much for herself as possible. She lives in a Residential Home and if she cant feed herself she will have to move to a Nursing Home and this is something we are fighting against.

We worked long and hard after my mothers stroke to rehabilitate her and we have already seen her going backwards with her eating in the last week. I really only want the best for my mother she cant ask herself I have to ask for her and really it would make the Nurses life easier.