"Treated with dignity at all times"

My mother-in-law is in her 90s and is about to be discharged to residential care from Durbin ward after a 3 and a half week admission. She was admitted to Durbin via A&E following a fall at home when she sustained a fracture of her femur. Mum also has dementia and presents as very confused and disorientated even when at home, her fall and subsequent admission exacerbated all these symptoms and she often experienced distress.

Our experience of all the ward staff including the housekeeping staff was a very positive one. The blue flower symbol was placed by her name on the board behind her bed which immediately alerted all staff about her dementia. Mum was very well cared for and everyone did their best to offer her lots of reassurance and support. Mum was treated with dignity at all times and staff were available to answer any queries that we had as a family. The staff moved mum to different bay when they were expecting an admission of someone who was likely to be very noisy and explained to us the reasons why. On some occasions mum was distressed when we had to leave and staff were on hand and keen to offer her reassurance and additional support and sit with her when we left.

From a physical perspective we were happy with the care mum received, her skin was checked regularly and staff were keen to ascertain the best means of managing her fracture when continence was an issue. They did their best to encourage to eat and drink and were very appreciative when we were able to be present on the ward and assist with meals and accompany her to the fracture clinic appointments.

All staff were always very courteous to us as a family and we are very grateful to all the staff on the ward of all disciplines for the care given to mum.