This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Temporary ward is a disgrace

Posted By @nnoyed

"Temporary ward is a disgrace"

About: Arrowe Park Hospital

(as a relative),

My relation was recently admitted to a temporary ward, which is not temporary for patients but only open 5 months a year. Apparently this means that no equipment is provided such as tv, radio, phone and no chairs for visitors to sit on, in spite of signs which say "Please do not sit on the beds due to cross infection". Worse than the lack of patient facilities is the lack of care and absolutely no communication between any nursing staff with either each other, the doctors or the patients.

Pre admission history was given five times and ignored. Medication was given haphazardly and when moved to the next ward (after complaining loud and hard) the prescription charts weren't sent up in time for drug rounds. Formal complaints resulted in being told many times it was a temporary ward and that yes it was awful. Several members of staff said they wouldn't want relatives there! Absolutely diabolical. This is 2009!

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 15 years ago
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 24/03/2009 at 15:57
Published on Care Opinion on 25/03/2009 at 00:00

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing the highest standard of care and dignity to all its patients.

The Trust would advise anyone who feels those standards have not been met to contact senior ward staff as soon as possible so that their concerns can be thoroughly investigated.

Michael Monaghan, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: "We take seriously the concerns that have been raised by this family and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with them to discuss these issues further. Ward 43 was opened in December to provide additional capacity during the winter months. Experienced bank nurse staff have worked alongside consultants and junior doctors on ward 43, to provide patient care during this period. On a general note, at the end of each shift a comprehensive handover takes place between nursing staff and patients are updated on their progress as soon as"

Update posted by @nnoyed (a relative)

One member of my family did meet with Michael Monaghan and another of his colleagues to discuss our experiences on both ward 43 and the ward to which my father was moved. This ward was clean but communications were poor.

He actually apologised profusely and has assured us that all our concerns will be looked into. Unfortunately it does not alter the fact that much of my father's time in this hospital has not been dealt with in the way in which we would have liked. We just hope that it will make a difference to others and will not be repeated in the future.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k