"Lack of staff awareness of my mother's dementia"

My mother was admitted two weeks ago with pain in her hip and being unable to get out of bed. She has been living independently although with increasing dementia and confusion.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer over three years ago but declined to have any surgical intervention due to her age. She has been treated with tablets since.

Initially my mother was in Ward 112 where she received treatment for elevated calcium levels in her blood. This involved fluids and pain relief which the doctors assure me have resolved the issue.

I am aware that my mother has terminal cancer and that there is nothing further that can be done. I understand the ward is busy and that the ward deals with various forms of cancer, however I have found it frustrating trying to get anyone to understand that my mother has dementia.

After two weeks I felt that they understood the extent of care that my mother required regarding her dementia, she was having showers and was helped with her medication and personal care.

Unfortunately she has now been moved to ward 114 where there has been a complete lack of communication and they have no understanding that my mother has dementia. Once again we will have to encourage them to wash her, change her night dress and even brush her teeth. I understand full well that this is a cancer ward and that this is their priority.

We have been waiting for over a week for her to be discharged to a more suitable nursing home. I have been informed that in order to be discharged she needs to have an assessment by a Care Manager but apparently there are no Care Managers at the moment. I have contacted Edenholme in Stonehaven which I know has a good reputation for looking after patients with dementia, but they require a referral from a Care Manager.

I am stuck in a catch 22 situation where we require a Care Manager referral in order to progress her discharge from hospital and admission to a suitable nursing home where she can be looked after appropriately, and there being no Care Mangers to do this.

In the meantime my mother is dirty, hungry and uncared for.