"Inadequate end of life care"

On arrival to A&E in Bolton Hospital, my uncle was not permitted to have his full time carer/next of kin/medical POA in attendance, this resulted in vital information not being given to medical staff reviewing him. Definitely not in best practice for both the patient and family. Other relatives were in attendance with other patients, however this was denied to us.

When finally allowed in to be with him, we were advised that bloods had been done, which was later proven to be untrue and caused a significant delay in them actually being done and processed while he was clearly in a critical condition. After many hours, his POA complained that nothing had been done as of yet, and a new nurse was assigned in A&E, finally he was given IV medications and IV fluids. 

When moved to Ward D2, things only got worse. The care given was minimal and distressing for all involved. He was End of Life care and hardly had anybody coming to check on him despite family members seeking out nursing staff to advise he was distressed, clearly in pain and uncomfortable. 

Family had to seek out nursing staff time and time again, with little done to help. No comfort offered to family in attendance, hard plastic chairs given for days on end, minimal assurance and help offered. We found the staff in ward D2 unhelpful and borderline negligent in their care for my family member. Many times family went out to find nursing staff as nobody would come by to check on him. Concern was raised many times over him being in pain, and his chest sounding wet, no medications were given, advised this is just what end of life looks like. Being in the healthcare profession I know this to be untrue.

A plastic chair was given to family staying in attendance, for days on end, a recliner was then provided after being requested - is this normal practice? What type of care would this person have received if nobody had been there to request better care time and time again, it makes me feel so sad for people who are in this hospital/ward and have nobody there to help them as the nursing care is shocking and not up to nursing standards, in my experience.

Following the death of my family member, the death certificate was issued and collected, however we were then contacted to be advised that the wrong protocol was followed regarding the death certificate being issued and the hospital requested the one given to be brought back so that it could be sorted. When re-issued, the cause of death had been changed. The first was a different cause of death listed, which had never been discussed with the POA/next of kin. The POA was never told that the patient had a brain abscess, no discussion was had with the patients POA/Next of kin at any time regarding the patient having a brain abscess. 

As a family we want to make sure care like this is never experienced by anyone ever again, however clearly it is something that happens regularly within this hospital.  I hope that any patient within this area has family/friends to stand up for them because I dread to think what type of care would be given without someone to voice concerns.