"Care of my elderly mum"

My elderly mother was admitted last April due to a bowel condition called diverticulitis, she was also in the early stages of vascular dementia. She was in hospital for 5 weeks and I was shocked at how poor her care was.

Because she was messing herself all the time, the smell was horrendous. As she was in a side room, the window was constantly open. Consequently she was cold and on many occasions when I visited her she didn't even have a blanket to cover her. I would have to ask a nurse to get her one and was often told to get one myself from a cupboard located on the corridor.

The ward had no lounge or those pay TVs and she just looked at 4 stark white walls for 5 very long weeks. We took in photos and pictures to put on her wall etc (as flowers were not allowed). Even some of the staff said it was awful. My mum never complained once.

I visited mum every day and it cost a total of £105.00 in parking fees. I was never told you could get a special pass if a patient was in for more than 2 weeks. I didn't begrudge her a penny but I hope she never has the misfortune to have to go into Chorley Hospital ever again.