"Lack of empathy and compassion"

Where to start. My dad is in his seventies and was recently taken to Forth Valley Hospital by ambulance. I believe in the assessment ward his care was excellent and the doctor he spoke to at that point was very caring and helpful with what was happening. (Although In this ward whilst myself and others were visiting my dad I observed a nurse empty another patient’s catheter into a urine bottle without pulling the curtain around the patient. Surely this is basic nursing skills to pull the curtain and respect the patients dignity. I know if it was my Dad I would not be happy about this . ) 

We then got told that they had a bed in a ward for my Dad. A little later 2 porters  came at the same time . One to take him to  ward B21 and the other to take him to X-ray and then ward B21. The porter took my dad to X-ray and myself and my son who was on crutches from an injury-so I put him in a wheelchair waited at  the entrance of B21. We didn’t wait long and my dad arrived with the porter . We went into ward B21 to be told that he’s not coming to this ward it must be B31. So we headed upstair to B31. My dad was sitting in the corridor with my son in his wheelchair behind my dad and we waited to find out where his bed would be .  The porter passed on the printed info to be met with we don’t have a bed for him. I asked what they meant by this and how could he have a bed in a ward and now not have one. The response was it’s not our fault it’s the bed allocation manager. (All whilst my very sick /worried father is sitting in the corridor ) . They said they would have to find the person in chrge, who made a phone call  beside us in the corridor and said I have 2 patients here and we don’t have any beds . (2 patients -1 in the wheelchair was my 13 year old son (the grandson )  who clearly would have been in a children’s ward and not a respiratory ward. They  would have known this had they actually taken the time to communicate and observe the situation.

The next response was well he will just have to go in the treatment room . (No empathy or compassion - no discussion with My dad).  I asked how long this would be for and they said they didn’t know . I again asked how can he have a bed in a ward and now not have one, I don’t understand how this can happen. At this point I am disgusted with the attitude. I work for the NHS and would never treat my patients /families like they did.

My dad was wheeled into the treatment room with no toilet . The porter helped him sit on the bed and I helped him get into the bed. Not a single member of staff came in to help him. I then had to go along to a crowd of staff standing at the desk and ask for water as my dad was very breathless at this point.  A student nurse came in and was lovely. I understand the treatment room situation is not great and difficulties with bed capacity but it was the attitude of the staff nurses, not the students or health care assistants .

Clearly my dad is just a  number and it was the end of their shift. Definitely did not feel NHS values were followed on this occasion . All that was required was for someone to reassure my dad and me that they will get him settled and comfy until he can get a bed space. My dad was moved to a bed space the following day at lunchtime. He spent 4 nights there and I felt that communication was very limited. On the day he was admitted he was told he will get a ct scan the next day. This did not happen till 3 days later. After 3 days he got IV antibiotics and some oral antibiotics and the day after the scan my dad was told he could go home. He was feeling no better, still struggling to eat and had sever weight loss which I feel was not addressed. Doctor said they had referred to dietician. Unsure why he was not given calorie drinks to supplement his soup/ice cream diet.  Also he finished his antibiotics and was feeling no improvement. My mum asked so what happens if he doesn’t get any better. Just go to your doctor or A&E.  

My dad had not improved and is still unsteady on his feet but managing a shower sitting on a chair although a task like a shower or brushing  his teeth took a lot of effort and he was still breathless.  No discussion was had regarding home circumstances. Do they have a bath/shower? Do you have stairs? Surely given how weak and unsteady he was someone should have asked the questions as my mum is able but in her 70’s was worried that he might fall as they do have stairs and live in a flat.  

When waiting to go home we were told that Dad was going to the discharge lounge. I asked if it had facilities to get changed as my dad would not want to go home in his PJ’s (quite rightly so) . The first person didn’t know but the 2nd person said yes he will get home quicker if he is there and we need the bed. (Lovely statement to make us feel that they care. Clearly just a number.)  My dad was sent home on the Friday to then have to go to his GP on the Monday who prescribed Calorie drinks and talked him through all his results. NHS Values (where🤷‍♀️ have they gone) . FVRH need to do better!