"Good medical treatment but no help for disabled,..."

What I liked

I took my mother to the Audiology Department as an outpatient for a hearing test. The Audiologist, although they described themself as a Student Audiologist, was professional and thorough, with a patient and understanding manner. So was the person in ENT who syringed my mother's ears for wax.

What could be improved

My mother uses a wheelchair, as she is 92 and disabled by a stroke and osteo-arthritis. The problem came when she needed the loo. It was inevitable that she would, as the whole outing – the taxi there and back, waiting time, and time for treatment - lasted several hours.

She needs two people to lift her and assist her when using the loo, but I had assumed that in a hospital this must be such an obvious and frequent need that there would be some-one available to help. In fact I was told there was no-one. She had to “let go”, and although she wears a pad this was distressing and undignified for her.

This must surely be a need that arises many times a day in the outpatient departments of a large hospital, especially in a department like Audiology where many patients are elderly.