This was on the news this morning and also I have found a piece of info on the net

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201105115999845


Basically it's saying elderly people aren't being cared for properly. Food being left on trays out of reach of the patient and collected later without being touched. Nobody asking the patient if they want the food - and even concerned doctors writing down that patients need to be given regular water.

I have seen this myself and heard first hand from relatives that some patients are left to their own devices without any help in feeding and drinks. Some patients aren't strong enough to feed themselves but are hungry and are going without. Especially the ones who don't have visitors. It's so sad.

I see several faults here but whatever they are they should be sorted.

One is not enough staff

Another is not enough caring staff

There are good and bad nurses unfortunately. That I am sure we have all experienced ourselves. But even the good ones can't do everything and be everywhere. But they can complain and insist patients are going without - can't they? Or maybe they will be told they shouldn't complain and to just get on with it.

I don't know but it's something I have seen happening for years. When my son was in hospital I was told by a friend who was a nurse that I shouldn't worry unduly as if it was between him and an older patient my son would get priority. Of course I was comforted to know that - what mum wouldn't be? But at the same time I was shocked. There should be enough staff to look after us all properly.

Growing old can be a frightening experience as I have seen with my parents. Both aren't in good health. My mum is 80 and on oxygen due to c.o.p.d. She is very disabled with rheumatoid arthritis and can do nothing but sit in a chair all day. Yet her mind is very quick and strong. She has panic attacks constantly and gets very frightened. Basically she is sitting there waiting to die. Yet she is one of the lucky ones with famliy around her.

Sometimes to see what we do, doesn't it make you fear old age?

I must say though that thankfully there are also many, many caring people in all walks of life who deal with the elderly and I have seen that too :)

Is downright criminal..its abuse.

I am not going to put the blame soley on the nurses ect as they are totally stretched.Many elderly in hospitals are there because there is nowhere else.

Even care homes abuse the elderly so no better off there.

When I was nursing I always treated those in my care,the same way as I would want to be treated when my time comes....young or elderly people were treated with the same respect,and dignity.

I myself have reported abuse.....then my job was not safe....which lead me to leave the profession.....

I dread the care I would get nowadays...if I didn't have my OH ....here's hoping I/we never live long enough to experience the abuse that can go on....

Oh yes,if you complain about the abuse your job goes. :angry:

They made it very very hard for me to stay,believe me.

But I would have done the same again,if I had had too.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you......mum always taught me that.

It's awful isn't, that if you speak up you are treated like the one who is in the wrong. I recall some years ago a nurse videoing neglect and ill treatment of elderly patients for proof and she lost her job. She was made a scapegoat when really she should have been applauded. They said that she shouldn't have video'd the patients - something about infringing on their rights :rolleyes: What about their rights to fair treatment! This just takes away from the ill treatment and puts the focus on the nurse breaking rules when all she was doing was trying to help.

You can tell how civilized a country is by the way it treats

a Old people

b Animals

I do'nt think this country scores well in either category.

:(

What with one thing and another, I've spent a lot of my time in hospital recently. I don't think I fit into the category of elderly atm, but I could give you some personal examples of hospital treatment that falls into the category of unacceptable.

On the other hand - if it weren't for the NHS, I'd have been dead a couple of years ago.

I know exactly what you mean, Les. I have seen the same with my mum and hubby when he had kidney stone and gall bladder probs. Overall some marvellous treatment and caring docs and nurses, but then some things weren't right. My mum was one who hadn't had any fresh water to drink by evening visiting - and this water was from the day before. At one point me and my sis -in-law discussed discharging her ourselves. Shouldn't have to do that.

I have much tho thank NHS for concerning my family but there are matters shouldn't ever be neglected.

I can only speak from my personal experience, had perfect treatment from the nursing and ancillary staff in my total of about 8 weeks in hospital over the past 18 months. Yes all the staff were busy but my water was always kept topped up and even had the night staff making me cups of tea when I was awake during the night. It does appear I may have been lucky but as I say I can only say it as I saw it.

I did geriatric nursing for 10 years. I've seen elderly people treated appallingly. People are just too impatient. They can't be bothered to sit with a patient who can't feed themselves, they can't be bothered to help them with a drink, or take them to the toilet, yet they are the first ones to moan if they have an accident.

One nurse we had, and I use the term nurse VERY loosely because she was a disgrace to the uniform, left a patient on a bath chair, stark naked soaking wet, hanging over the bath. How she didn't fall I will never know. She also left the cot sides on another patients bed down, despite knowing she could fall out of bed, and she did.

I've seen the sister of the ward slap a patient who had suffered a stroke because she had messed herself.

These people should remember that one day they too will be old and may need care. Karma.

Maybe it depends on the ward and hospital you're sent to. Either way - the poor treatment shouldn't happen. In my view it's a case of poor leadership leads to poor behaviour by staff.

That's horrendous QB - and so sad. It's also sad for the doctors and nurses/carers who do a good job and who genuinely care about people, as it's mostly the bad things we hear about.

People need more vetting before getting a job like this.