"My Mother who is over 80 years ..."

What could be improved

My Mother who is over 80 years of age was taken to A&E after a fall and seen at 5.30pm at 7.15pm she was told she was to be admitted. I asked how long it would be before she went to the ward, as I wasnt sure whether to stay with her or go to phone other family members, I was informed "it wont be long" an hour and a half later I asked again only to be told "it wont be long". So I waitied with my Mother rather than going to use the phone. It was approx 11pm before my Mother was taken to the ward by which time she was tired and anxious. I know staff do not know exactly how long this will take but I felt fobbed off by the standard phrase "it wont be long". The same happened when my Mother was discharged, I was told she would be ready to leave at 11am. She got out of bed at 8.30am and the bed was made up for the next patient. I arrived just before 11am and was told "it wont be long" before I could take my Mother home. I asked again at 12.30pm and was again told "it wont be long". It was after 2pm when my Mother was discharged having been left sat on the chair since 8.30am that morning. I got the feeling that staff are told to say "it wont be long" to every question about timings. It would be better to give an approximation of how long these things can take then people are prepared to wait. It also wastes the staff time if you have to ask for information as the communication is poor. This is particularly pertinent when dealing with someone of my Mother's age. I sure with a little thought communciation and therefore patient satisfaction could be greatly improved.