"Victoria Ward is a disgrace"

My mother had the misfortune to be placed here this month with a UTI. The ward has been open a month, and there are very serious issues with staff in terms of training, care and communication.

During her time there she was left lying down all day (even at mealtimes), did not have her medicine given as requested and lost a significant amount of weight . She was meant to be weighed, but wasn't, but her weight loss is visible and her arms now hang as a result. This was caused by them not sitting her up to eat, and leaving meals on trays out of reach. More than once I arrived to find this, and the tray sitting for an hour or more. She was also dehydrated for the same reason, and given enemas because she was 'constipated' (dehydrated and malnourished), which did not respect her dignity and right to proper care. There was no communication between staff, and I left one day to find four members of staff shouting at each over in the corridor, which shows poor management and training.

Junior doctors took pity on her after numerous meetings with staff failed, and they moved her to another ward on the 6th floor which is really well run. I've heard that there have been so many complaints (including one I've sent to PALS) about Victoria Wad that it has been forwarded up to a higher level. I hope that they manage to employ/train staff who are more caring, and mostly experienced staff soon, with better management, for the sake of the patients.