"Obtaining information despite no visiting because of winter bug"

My grandmother was taken to hospital with shortness of breath last night. 24 hours later the only information we have received is she is "OK" - we don't even know what is wrong with her. She is 84 bed bound from a stroke and often confused.

I fully appreciated the confidentiality aspect however a plan must have been made to allow people to find out how their relatives are when we are not allowed to visit.

I called a nurse on the ward who just kept telling me she couldn't give any information, I explained I appreciate this but could someone call her next of kin (my grandfather) and tell him what is happening. I became very frustrated with the nurse and felt I was not being taken seriously.

My grandfather has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is also going into hospital in a few days. I realise it may be too much to ask what is going on so myself and family can make arrangements for their continued care.

I expected that the hospital management would have a system in place to ensure relatives are not left in the dark when the decision was made to close the hospital to visitors.