"Care of the elderly"

My elderly father 86 years young was on Ward 15 for 12 days after being admitted with Pneumonia to LRI 2 days earlier. Paramedics tried to have him admitted to Glenfield but were told very strongly that they didn't take patients over 85 so we were surprised after 2 days to be transferred.

Most of the care we received was excellent and would like to say special thanks for the genuine care.

However there were 2 days when we arrived for afternoon visiting I found my Dad soaking in urine where his convene had become detached and I had to locate someone to help. As he progressed he was also left siting in the bedside chair all day without a pressure cushion underneath him. We also witnessed a male nurse when I asked if he could be helped into bed stood Dad on a Rotunda and dragging it round into position clearly he had no idea how to use this equipment.

It was particularly difficult to access information about Dads progress and I had to pester and make a nuisance of myself to find out the results of an echo performed 3days earlier. The discharge letter also revealed many things that I think should have been discussed with family members whilst Dad was with you.

Quality of food was first class lots of choice and everything Dad had he really enjoyed the people who took orders very pleasant. However despite having a notice in red above his bed put there by Speech and Language Therapist that he was to be supervised eating as he could gag and choke on his food that didn't happen even though you have adopted theprotected mealtimes policy.

My final criticism is of the general ignorance of staff that patients with Parkinson's need their medication " on time every time" I know it doesn't fit in with drug rounds and I can appreciate how hugely inconvenient that is for your over worked staff but unless it is administered at the correct time Parky patients deteriate quickly and it compromises all other treatment being given.