"My father who passed away on 14th ..."

What I liked

My father who passed away on 14th January had been frail for a few months. He initially fell ill in October 2009 and stayed in the Wilmington and Jevington wards where everything was excellent. The ward was comfortable and the staff great, especially the brilliant doctor and sister that looked after my dad and who communicated his concerns and prognosis to me and my mother virtually on a daily basis. Just after Christmas my dad was admitted to the hospital again - but this time he was in the Berwick ward. The difference between this ward and the other previous wards was day and night. The staff did not seem over friendly like before, there was no communication and the consultant - even after two weeks never even saw or spoke to us. I tried to make an appointment to talk with the consultant as my fathers health got worse but was told that he was unavailable. My poor mum travelled to Eastbourne every day to see my dad and she only got to talk to the junior nurses who did not have much to say on the matter. My father took a turn for the worse in the middle of the night and died around 7am of the 14th - the nurse who called to inform us of his death said that they had been trying to call us all night long - yet our telephones never rang!! It's sad thinking that my dad died surrounded by strangers - we could have been there for him in his final minutes. I think that the consultant could have either picked up the telephone to call us or meet with us to prepare us for what lay in store. I really am quite bitter about this whole affair.

What could be improved

COMMUNICATION

If a patient is very ill, take a few minutes to take the caring relatives aside and speak to them - tell them what to expect.

Anything else?

If I ever happen to be in the Eastbourne Hospital again and bump into the excellent young doctor who looked after my dad whilst he was in the Jevington/Wilmington wards back in October, there are only two things that I would be able to do - say thank you and shake his hand. He is a credit to the NHS - and even my dad thought he was good!!!!