"Treament of my father on Larch Ward"

My father was in Larch Ward for 3 weeks and died on the day he was to be discharged to a nursing home. During this time some of the staff were wonderful but some, in particular, the night staff left a lot to be desired. On 1 occasion my sister and I had to change my father's bedding ourselves as there was not enough staff. On another 2 occasions I had to assist a nurse to do this. One evening my father had still not been changed and it was 9. 30 p. m. I asked a night nurse to change him and was told to 'wait' even though I told her that my father was lying in a wet bed. He had lain in a wet bed on more than one occasion. Unacceptable.

The only people in that ward who I will mention for their caring nature is Dillon and Tracy. When my dad was going through the 'dying process' Dillon was amazing, so attentive and she could not have done more. She organised for my dad to be moved into a private bay so we could spend precious time with him. She made us tea and checked up on us regularly. Kelly was also very helpful at this particular time.

The staff in the ward seem stretched and this needs to be addressed. I saw elderly patients left for long periods of time unattended to. My sister and I would not leave the hospital until very late for fear of my father being neglected.  Another patient had all the attention of the nursing staff when my farther was there and in my view this was to the detriment of the other patients - again this needs to be addressed.