"Staff are caring, cleaniliness lets it down"

My mother was recently on ward C53 where many of the staff were very caring and helpful.

Myself and my father agree that the cleanliness of the ward wasn't up to scratch.

We took wet wipes in ourselves daily to clean the table as this was dirty on a daily basis.

The floor under mums bed was black with dirt.

We most certainly didn't feel this was a clean place to help patients get better.

The visitor chairs were also dirty under where you pick them up to carry them.

Many occasions we came in to find one of mums dirty pads left on the chair next to her and one occasion there was a used pad in with her washing for us to take home.

On the bay we were located on we felt there wasn't a lot of nurse presence apart from when they came around to do the obs.

Obviously we understand there cannot be someone present on a bay all the time however it did seem like many hours at a time where we wouldn't see anyone.

We first started our visit at the A&E department arriving at 7.15pm where my 73 year old mum was left on a trolley in the middle of the reception until 3am when I asked for her to be moved into a cubicle as she was in much need of rest.

In all the time we were there both myself and my father (69 years old) had to stand by her bedside.

The hospital restaurant is also closed at weekends so you only have the option of a sandwich or toasted sandwich at the café located at the main entrance.

There is a problem with parking as you have to be lucky to find a space!

The general condition of the hospital we feel is now a 'little run down' due to its age but luckily most of the staff are happy to talk to you if you have any questions or if you need directions in the corridors (these are very well signposted)