"Recent admission at Haldane and Herrick ward"

My elderly mum was transferred to Haldane ward (Stroke ward but my mum hadn't had a stroke -just where they could find a bed for her) from A&E as an acute medical patient. Although we had spent 10 hours in A&E , we were treated respectfully and mum's condition was explained fully to us. In the week that followed on Haldane Ward and on Herrick Ward my family and I found some of the care my mum was receiving to be poor with a lack of respect and dignity.

There were some great nurses but also a couple of very poor nurses. We also found a few doctors and a consultant to be dismissive at times, not listening to our concerns about mum's medical history, a lack of respect to my mum's needs , a lack of communication and empathy. Thankfully, I had enough medical knowledge to raise questions about a lack of informed consent, additional medical investigations and medication my mum was receiving. However, it took a few attempts to be listened to by some of the main doctors who were looking after my mum on the ward and yet one or two doctors over the first weekend were brilliant, helpful and reassuring.

Some of what we witnessed on both Haldane and Herrick ward was upsetting and shocking. Medical staff looking after elderly people and not meeting some of their basic needs. All we kept hearing was ,"we are stretched "and "don't have time" confirming no empathy and a complete lack of respect for the vulnerable and elderly.

As I mentioned there were very many skilled staff in Haldane ward who provided a compassionate and considerate service to my mum but the actions of individual staff in both Haldane and Herrick wards showed failure to look beyond my mum's clinical condition and respond to the social and emotional needs for her and our family.

Our experience on this ward will not be forgotten in a hurry. I can only hope that the feedback and comments we shared with some of the multidisciplinary team involved in my mum's care will bring about positive changes and attitudes quickly for the sake of our elderly population.