"Hours of waiting for basic treatment"

Anything else?

My Mother (aged 80) has been referred to GWH Kingfisher ward to have intravenous antibiotics. She was instructed by her GP to go there immediately. We waited for two and half hours in a room with 8 other patient and ignored souls, before being assessed. The first visit took 4 hours, for an I/v injection which took 15 minutes. She had to return the following day for 15 minutes treatment and had to wait for 5 hours... Yesterday she had to wait to see a doctor and have a blood test, plus the 15 minutes of treatment. Waiting time 6 hours.

We were promised that after the first visit things would speed up... Instead it look even longer.

The staff were kind and helpful when they appeared. but the waiting room was at the end of the corridor and out of the way. The staff appeared occasionally. The waiting patients were often elderly, disabled and unwell. If a nurse came to start treatment, but had to go for something, another 45 minutes would pass before she reappeared.. All the patients in the room were waiting...waiting, quietly, uncomplaining waiting. All had been there for several hours.

My mother was supplied with sandwiches for lunch, but there was nothing for those accompanying the patients. (often elderly and disabled themselves). Water was on offer, but no tea or coffee.

She goes back today accompanied by 80 year husband. They are resigned to having to wait for 4 -6 hours.

This is unreasonable. Who can we contact to get this service improved? This attitude to vulnerable patients does not meet with any of the GWH's four mission aims..

Service - to put customers first

Team work - to work together

Ambition - to provide the best service

Respect - to act with integrity