"Disastrous"

What I liked

Nothing! I am writing this on behalf of an 81 year old lady who was admitted for a mastectomy. She was placed on a non surgical ward. Her aftercare was sadly lacking. In distress in the night with drenched bedclothes there was nobody to be found. She only saw auxiliary nurses who had no idea how to help her.

The oldest patients were operated on last. There was no dye injected to determine the state of her lymphatic glands. Consequently she had to endure two operations instead of one.

She is concerned for the other elderly patients who may find themselves in her position. She feels that the Royal Berks differentiates between younger patients and those over 75.

Positively, she felt that the cancer nurses who counseled her were excellent

What could be improved

Admission to a surgical ward

Qualified RGN nurses on hand

Available night staff

One operation in place of two.

Anything else?

As a friend I'm appalled by this. This lady is bright, mobile and articulate. What happens to those who aren't