"Wolverhampton District Nursing Service"

My father was prescribed a fortnightly injection by the Consultant Haematologist at New Cross Hospital to complement his chemotherapy.

This was to be administered by the District Nursing Service as he lives alone and has poor mobility.

The delivery of the service ranged from indifferent to shambolic - ultimately they decided to "discharge" him from the service without notifying him, the Consultant or his G. P. [he only found he had been discharged when he contacted THEM to ask when they would be coming for his next treatment].

There was no thought, consideration or contact about how his prescribed treatment was to continue being administered - ASTONISHINGLY this effectively means that the District Nursing Service has determined his treatment and over-ridden the clinical Specialist Consultant.

This service demonstrates at least three examples of dangerous behaviours listed in the Francis Report into the Mid-Staffs disater: -

• A negative culture,

• Professional disengagement;

• Patients not being heard;

• Lack of focus on standards of service.

Based on my father's experience, I think the following could be improved: -

• Ability to listen to service users

• Administration of service

• Attitude of staff

• attitude to complaints

• Consistency of Care

• Focus on standards of service

• Professionalism of staff

• Quality of care

One week on and we have not even received an acknowledgement of our complaint.