"Unsatisfactory care"

What I liked

Once my grandfather had been admitted to the oncology ward (following his stay on the emergency short stay unit) his care was excellent. The staff were kind and welcoming and communicated well with the patient and family. We cannot thank the oncolgy ward enough for their assistance and care.

What could be improved

Compassion, attitude and effectiveness of the nursing staff

Discharging of patients and increase in bed availability

Communication

Anything else?

On admission to hospital via ambulance and A&E, my grandfather was admitted to the Emergency Short Stay unit. The unit was busy and seemingly understaffed most of the time.

My grandfather required more intensive nursing support than he could be given on this ward due to the nature of his illnesses, however he was not moved as the hospital had no available beds.

In total, my grandfather was subject to five nights on a emergency short stay ward which i felt was unacceptable given the seriousness of his condition (terminal cancer, pneomonia and heart failure). It was clear that this type of ward was not designed for patients with such illnesses.

One evening my grandfather required the toilet and pressed his nurse buzzer as he wasn't very mobile. Due to length of time that it took for the nurse to arrive at his bedside, he had tried to get himself out of bed without assistance and had fallen. By the time that a doctor could come and assess him following his fall, he had soiled himself. Worse still, the following day at vising time (2pm), my grandad informed us he had fallen in the night and hurt himself (his arm was bandaged and a bruised hip). As his family and his next of kin, we had called the ESS unit that morning to find out how his night had been and were told he was fine. We requested to speak to the nurse in charge and had to wait for two hours for anyone to come and see us. When challenged as to why we had not been informed, the nurse had commented that we didnt needed to know because 'he didn't really hurt himself'.

Overall, with the exception of the Oncology ward, we have found the care at Peterborough Hospital to be sub-standard and not just on this one occassion. There have been several incidents (including lost notes and cancelled appointments without informing the patient - my grandad) that have occured within the last year that are just unacceptable.