Allotments 4 All

Sprinkle you are so right and its not only in hospital in all the "caring " profession

After all is said and done the majority of nursing staff i have come across on the whole do a fantastic job and the hospital gets far more thank you cards etc then complaints
however it has to be said that relatives of patients in hospital can do a lot of simple things in order to make it much easier for nursing staff.
Supplying simple toiletries (we do have them but they are very basic and available in emergencies although some people believe feel we should supply them all we are happy to do so but they are so basic ) a nice bar of soap deoderant and talc if used, some nice hand cream, moisturiser shampoo, toothbrush toothpaste and a comb or brush as appropriate.
families can be very large and wide spread please arrange one spokes person to ring for an update then the rest of the family communicate between themselves I must spend at least an hour on the phone each day sometimes 6 or 7 calls from members of the same family.
if possible arrange for someone to do the patients laundry we can in an extreme emergency sort something out but it is very difficult
please avoid calls during meal times we are busy feeding patients and administering their medications
keep flowers etc to a minimum there is very limited space and too much inhibits cleaning and gets in the way
our visiting times are restricted for a reason, our patients need to be washed, have physio etc etc and most importantly need to rest, we will let you in at other times if appropriate  if there is a problem just ask
please try not to disturb me when i am administering medications i need to concentrate on what i am doing
please tell me about your relative especially if they are unable to tell me, it helps us to know what they like or dont are they out going or naturally reserved, do they like to listen to the radio, what do they like to wear
if suitable please ensure your relative has normal everyday clothes they probably wouldnt want to sit in a nightie all day at home and well fitting footwear it makes them so much safer when walking around.
if there is anything i can do to make their stay even slightly more enjoyable please tell me i will do my best
i become very fond of many of our patients particularly when they stay for a long time why not leave them some photos of their loved ones and pets etc with names on them it gives us a lovely talking point
and if you are not happy with something dont stew on it talk to us tell us we might not realise we are trying to get it right

i've been at the hospital, as an in-patient and an out-patient, lots of times this year..I cannot fault the staff at all..apart from one..out of perhaps 30 staff, 1 is a good percentage..they were all helpful, caring and attentive..maybe rushed which is not their fault
when my dad was in, HE was at fault, he was miserable, uncommunicative, would not take advice or eat what was given to him..he also moaned lots of times..I think you get back what you give out and I am grateful to everyone of our wonderful nurses and doctors  :)

thank you and i agree there are some people you just cannot reach no matter how hard you try