"The treatment and care of my 89 year old Mother"

Anything else?

My mother was taken to Leighton Hospital as an emergency from her Care Home in Nantwich on 15th January.

She had a very bad experience of hospital care in another County where she had lived for 47 years and we had hoped that she would never have to go into hospital again.However from her arrival in A&E we were dealt with promptly and with a dignity and professionalism by ALL members of staff. Within less than 2 hours they had conducted all the necessary tests and x rays, taken all Mum's details (she had never been treated there before and so they had no previous records relating to her) and intra venous anti biotics and fluids were set up.During this time, despite her inability to respond, all staff spoke to her and told us exactly what they were doing and why whilst making sure that she was as comfortable as possible during the tests.

She was admitted to Ward 3 whilst awaiting blood test results.She was not very co-operative and very suspicious of the staff initially but thanks to their understanding of her previous experience and communication through myself she quickly accepted their nursing of her and was very grateful of their kindness.

Once diagnosis had been made she was transferred to a side room on Ward 7 for infection control and again the professionalism and kindness of all the staff helped her to settle and tell us how lovely everyone was to her. The Sisters on the ward answered all our questions openly and I was encouraged to help Mum to eat her lunch, something that we were very grateful for.

Must say that all the food looked, and smelt really good and was served at the correct temperature. The choice was varied at every meal,Mum's intake was being carefully recorded or I could have finished off the steak pie, veg and mash!!! The sandwiches were made from lovely fresh bread and generously filled with tuna or egg mayo, Mum's favourite. When she wasn't eating every effort was made to tempt her. It was hospital food as it should be, tempting, nutritious and tailored to the patient's requirements.

Whilst all of the above reflect our main reasons for thanking the hospital, there were issues over and above her health care to be commented on in particular general attention to her appearance and the sharing of her condition and treatment by Doctors and senior nurses. The procedure leading to her return to the Care Home must also be commended as there were certain changes in her needs since being admitted to hospital.