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My mum

Posted By Anne76

"My mum"

About: Medicine for the Elderly / Acute Frailty Unit Medicine for the Elderly / Acute Medicine for the Elderly (ward 16)

(as a relative),

My mum has recently been in hospital in the past few months being taken into both AMU Frailty Assessment Unit and Ward 16 Acute Medicine for the Elderly. Whilst there, I noticed that many, if not most of the other patients (my mum included) appeared to be extremely bored and just sitting with no social interaction for any length of time. I spent a fair bit of time in both wards and noticed that this then led to them being more demanding of the nursing/care staff’s time for interaction and stimulation and often led to wandering, shouting, demanding behaviour. 

I also noticed that none of the TV’s had remotes in the side rooms or appeared to work. None of the staff knew how to work them. However, one gentleman did get a TV working in room 1, which did not surprise me given that I think it just need someone (i.e. a wee handy man) to give it a go. There was no access to Bridge FM for patients, which would also have offered some stimulation, although Bay 3 in Ward 16 did have a radio and AMU Frailty had it on one time for a bit.

Perhaps some funding could be allocated for a basic kit for each ward comprising of OT/dementia type friendly activities and a member of staff and/or volunteers to spend a few hours a day on both wards over the course of the day? It may lift patients' moods, give nursing staff the opportunity to focus on the patients who need them, and support with OT/Rehab needs of the patients.

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Responses

Response from Jane Brown, Nurse Manager, Medicine and Cardiovascular, NHS Tayside 2 months ago
Jane Brown
Nurse Manager, Medicine and Cardiovascular,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 31/01/2025 at 12:23
Published on Care Opinion at 12:23

Dear Anne76

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your experience in Ward 16 and the Acute Frailty Unit.

I'm sorry you're observation is of the patients looking bored and I can understand why that may concern you.

Ward 16 and The Frailty Assessment Unit are busy ward areas. The patients receive continual input from different members of multi-disciplinary team through out the day with the aim of ensuring patients are not delayed in hospital for longer than they need to be. We have many frail and impaired patients in our service and the teams work hard to ensure the patients are receiving the highest standards of person-centred care at all times. Unfortunately, many of our patients are faced with cognitive challenges which can influence their behaviours and again the staff work extremely hard to ensure these patients receive the compassionate care and attention they require.

We do have volunteers who come into the ward and assist with providing meals and drinks for patients and who also spend time speaking with the patients. Our chaplaincy service also visit the ward on frequent occasions and again spend time speaking with the patients and their visitors. In addition to that we have a therapet called Ode who is a lovely dog and visits regularly. This always brings joy to the patients and staff who welcome him with open arms.

Unfortunately many of the TVs in the ward don't work due to their inability to pick up a signal. We have explored this previously in a couple of other areas with TVs and whilst we would always to endeavour to replace this type of equipment it can also be an unwelcome stimulus for some patients so we try to ensure a balance for all patients.

I hope this provides you with the reassurance that the wellbeing of the patients in our care is our highest priority and we do have many visitors and support in place to keep the patients occupied within our acute ward.

If I can be of further assistance please don't hesitate to contact me on the details provided.

Thank you again for taking the time to provide us with your feedback.

best wishes

Jane Brown

Senior Nurse

CCG1, Medicine Division, Ninewells Hospital

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