Have been unfortunate enough to have cause to visit on a daily basis for the last 5 weeks. I need to make it clear I have nothing but admiration for the majority of staff who work here. I believe this hospital is fine for short stay patients 1-5 days, any longer than this and the cracks really begin to show. Single rooms means patients can be left hours without seeing or talking to another person. Staff are meant to do a "walk through" hourly but this simply doesn't happen. An unconscious patient easily missed as sleeping. Four bed wards reserved mainly for very elderly who are at risk of fall. Suspect fall rate will now massively increase in single rooms. During the past 5 weeks I have spoken to other visitors who have all had concerns about the need to stay at the hospital almost full time to ensure their relative is not forgotten or overlooked. Whilst I appreciate very poorly patients have no need for TV I personally think this has contributed to the very low mood and confusion as to even what day it is for my relative who is only in their 20's, state of the art hospital but no TV available and no wifi signal available for patients own devices!! Two weeks ago relative felt up to having wash asked staff for some towels as had mistakenly left own towels in car to be told none available would have to use a pillow slip when I replied that this was not good enough was offered a sheet instead!! Wrote formal letter regarding this matter but to date no reply received. We don't come into hospital with gate numbers expecting a "mini break" experience with nice pictures on the walls and single ensuite rooms, we come expecting our condition to be closely monitored and staff able to react quickly when needed rather than relatives feeling worried and concerned about their relatives safety when they are left alone in these rooms. Hospital fine for quick in and out stay but for families like ours who have frequent long lengthy stays this new hospital has proved to be a lonely and frightening experience.
"Single patient rooms are dangerous"
About: Southmead Hospital Southmead Hospital Bristol BS10 5NB
Posted via nhs.uk
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