I have been staying in Pilgrim Hospital whilst waiting for some tests to be done.
During my three days here I have witnessed first hand just how bad things have got.
An elderly palliative care patient in the A&E ward was refused a glass of warm milk by the drinks attendant because ‘we don’t do that’. It was clear she just didn’t have time. People on death row can choose a meal.
Another elderly patient asked if the lady who brought her breakfast could open the small packet of jam she received and was told no.
I helped her, it took me seconds. I also overheard her saying that she hadn’t had a wash in three days. The response was “never mind, we will get to you in the morning”.
The person on the ward told me that the elderly patients feel like they own the place.
I’m not in hospital for mental health but I do suffer and the doctor prescribed be an anti-anxiety medication for if and when I need it.
Last night I asked for it at 6pm and was told it would be five minutes.
I received the tablet at about 9pm and my mother had to ask three times and refused to leave until I had it because the nurse said at 9pm that she wasn’t sure when she would be doing her drug round.
My anxiety is not just worrying. It’s shaking, sweating, heart racing and hugely unpleasant.
It wouldn’t be acceptable for any other medication to be delayed that long.
It seems to me that the lack of money and time has made some of the staff cold to the care that they simply can’t provide.
But the jam pot situation and comments about elderly patients have made me scared for the culture in this hospital.
Patients are apparently seen as a burden and a nuisance.
What can, and are, the government doing to assure that patients are being treated with dignity, respect and that their mental health needs are being met whilst in hospital?
Name and address supplied
