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[Viral_Jim]

My father is in the Worcester Royal with a serious blood infection that's chosen to "nest" in his wrist and heart valves. When he was admitted to A&E we were told how serious it was and that he had to be on a programme of intravenous antibiotics every 12 hrs, his condition was serious enough that we couldn't transfer him to a BUPA hospital, which would have been our first choice. Due to the length of stay, a cannula was fitted in his upper arm for the drugs to be administered.

It all went wrong about 2 days ago when the cannula became blocked, either due to poor fitting or inadequate cleaning, there then followed a 36hr period of no antibiotics while he waited for a new one to be fitted and 3 nurses tried and failed to put a regular needle into the back of his hand, which now looks like its been bitten by a dog. Finally, today a fresh (and very painful) cannula was fitted in his neck. 

The truly amazing thing was the condescending and frankly rude attitude of the ward sister and her associates when challenged on any of this. The fact that he wasn't receiving treatment was initially met with the response "well I'm sure it'll all be sorted out tomorrow, so stop worrying". All I can say is I'm glad I wasn't in the room when my mother rather got that response - I now know why they have security guards on wards! 

I would have some sympathy with the situation if any of this had ANYTHING to do with funding. Being able to administer drugs and take blood from a patient is surely the most absolutely basic thing a medical professional has to do.

And lets not discuss the nurse who was discovered sleeping in the day room during her shift. 

[Shackeng]

The problem when this occurs, is that one is reluctant to complain for fear of the patient taking the rap, and getting worse treatment. You have my sympathy.

[STEMO]

Next time you visit, take along a friend in a suit and get him to take notes. Puts the willies up them.

[Viral_Jim]

The problem when this occurs, is that one is reluctant to complain for fear of the patient taking the rap, and getting worse treatment. You have my sympathy.

Quite the reverse in our case I assure you. Thankfully my mother and father are only 64 so still take no cr@p. Dad's just worn down due to sleep deprivation (3 wards in 4 days and a night on a trolley) so we're giving hell on his behalf. Unfortunately the next two days I'm working away but someone is "having it large" from me when I get back.

What really pisses me off is the lack of accountability, all we're told is that you need to make a complaint to this number. Presumably so they can keep you busy while your relative dies. Also the over-use of the word unfortunate, apparently, incompetence is now unfortunate, rather than a problem that needs to be remedied.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I fully sympathise with your plight, but it could be worse. He could be in Colchester general. The situation you describe is a good day on one of the better wards there. A bad day is when they threaten patients with the in house security guards when they complain of being in agony. I kid you not.

[Varche]

One of my aunt in laws is registered blind and quite deaf without hearing aid which she loses or breaks. So she was bed blocking for over three months just waiting for care package availability. She ended up eith serious malnutrition. Didnt know food choices had been left on her table. Didnt know food had been put near her. When i suggested to the consultant ( who stood at the bottom of the bed mumbling) could you mark her whiteboard with hard of hearing and registered blind, he thought good idea. After it was done a nurse snarled at me... we know you know. At the next hospital in same county, they operated a red card scheme. Great idea as nurse helped patient and monitored that they actually ate.

Jimmy, you have my sympathies. At a distressing time , you dont want poor care. Hope you have a good outcome.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I fully sympathise with your plight, but it could be worse. He could be in Colchester general. The situation you describe is a good day on one of the better wards there. A bad day is when they threaten patients with the in house security guards when they complain of being in agony. I kid you not.

Should have mentioned, the agony was caused by a 12mm diameter gallstone stuck in a 6mm diameter bile duct. Apparently, very few things are as painful as this.