"Problems on my friend's ward at st James"

A close, elderly friend has been at St James's Hospital for some time now. In my opinion there is severe under-staffing; such that what I would say is basic care is non existent. I once saw there was 4 nursing staff to 32 patients.

I felt as if the majority of the staff on the ward are good with a couple of notable exceptions who I found to be apathetic.

Specific issues my friend has told me about have been:

- no electronic buzzer, just a metal bell to ring

- no one to answer the bell that rings as they seem busy at the other end of the multi-bayed ward, so in my experience waits of up to 30 minutes is routine

- I can't wait 30 minutes to use the commode so I feel that I have no option but to cause myself more distress by having an 'accident'

- I have seen commodes left at the bedside for more than 5 hours at a time and not checked at all through the night

- my water jug not changed from 7am to 7pm, despite me needing to drink water constantly

- my food was brought and taken away, and I think no alternatives provided despite loss of weight

- on occasions, I have seen patients told off for using the bell when trying to alert staff to another patient falling out of bed – I saw some one on the floor for 30 minutes

- I was not able to have my hair washed hair for 4 weeks (up to press), it seems to me that no one has any time to do it causing me much distress

- no one seemed to be available through the night to help change pads so I felt like if I tried to do it because of desperation I then feel like I risk falling

- if you are in a 4 bed bay, there are no tvs. TV only available in day room but I can't walk unaided and I feel that no one has time to do it

- and to cap it all, I feel worried to say anything in case it affects my care, so I feel like my care will deteriorate further