Should We Write A letter Of Complaint?

BERNADETTE · 21-05-2008, 20:58

As most of you know mum has just spent a week in the Royal Blackburn and some of her care can be described as not the best in the world. My sister thinks we should write a letter of complaint but mum not being one to make a fuss doesn't want us to.
The way we see it if we don't complain how can they rectify the problems? Was just wondering what you would do if you were in my shoes.

slinky · 21-05-2008, 21:03

As you say, if no-one complains they won't know!!!

Anything of concern Bernie and I would. At the end of the day, it could help others too.

Neil · 21-05-2008, 21:04

What is it you want to complain about?

tosh · 21-05-2008, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

As most of you know mum has just spent a week in the Royal Blackburn and some of her care can be described as not the best in the world. My sister thinks we should write a letter of complaint but mum not being one to make a fuss doesn't want us to.
The way we see it if we don't complain how can they rectify the problems? Was just wondering what you would do if you were in my shoes.

get a letter of to them a. s.a. p. don't leave it to late.

Margaret Pilkington · 21-05-2008, 21:08

Yes, you should complain.......and they will acknowledge your complaint and try to rectify the situation

emamum · 21-05-2008, 21:11

sorry if this is a little rude but what kind of ward is your mum on?

Neil · 21-05-2008, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

they will acknowledge your complaint and try to rectify the situation

I find that hard to believe.

BERNADETTE · 21-05-2008, 21:21

Really it was that she was kept waiting for things, a bed pan for fifteen minutes, a soiled dressing was not changed for three days and was only noticed when the nurse who had been off came back on duty. She also needed an x-ray and to start physio which only happened when my sister pushed for it.
Personally I think that bigger is definetly not better in the case of the hospital. Mum was in room 42 so goodness knows how many rooms and beds were on that ward. Em she was just on a surgery ward.

emamum · 21-05-2008, 21:23

i think you should complain.. your mum is able to make a complaint about it and can complain on the behalf of people who arent... if that makes sense lol

BERNADETTE · 21-05-2008, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by emamum23

i think you should complain.. your mum is able to make a complaint about it and can complain on the behalf of people who arent... if that makes sense lol

Yes I do understand what you mean there were a few older ladies in that couldn't feed theirselves but mum said the nurses were very good and came to feed them. I just don't think certain aspects of mums care were what they should be.

pussycat · 21-05-2008, 21:42

i think you should conplain ; i myself has just come out off hospital ; burnley; with no after care;

Royboy39 · 21-05-2008, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Really it was that she was kept waiting for things, a bed pan for fifteen minutes, a soiled dressing was not changed for three days and was only noticed when the nurse who had been off came back on duty. She also needed an x-ray and to start physio which only happened when my sister pushed for it.
Personally I think that bigger is definetly not better in the case of the hospital. Mum was in room 42 so goodness knows how many rooms and beds were on that ward. Em she was just on a surgery ward.

Bernie...I am sorry but i dont understand some of your complaint.
I can understand the bedpan complaint.
The soiled dressing....When you enter hospital a progress chart is created and dates for treatment and removal of stitches etc are recorded....If there is a problem the nursing staff need to be told by the patient.
X-ray and Physio dates are recorded and will take place when the surgeon says so.
There are rounds every day by a consultant and any complaint will be taken seriously.
Nurses.....and there are a few on here as members will take exception to the neglect claim. I have been in Queens Park with a heart attack and I with hand on heart (Forgive the pun) have been looked after and come out alive.
If you feel you have a serious complaint then go for it but consider how many lives are being saved by these dedicated souls.

BERNADETTE · 21-05-2008, 22:22

Well I can tell you that the consultants do not come round every day, at least not on that ward. As for the dressing not being changed why should the patient be responsible for telling the staff it needs doing. It was the nurse coming back on duty after three days off who wasn't happy about this. We were told mum needed an x-ray but three days later she hadn't had it so my sister asked and was told it would be pushed for that day and loe and behold she was taken that day!!!
No where in my post did I accuse anybody of neglect, so stop trying to stir it. I think the hospital is woefully understaffed and our concerns need to be pointed out to management.

cashman · 21-05-2008, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Yes I do understand what you mean there were a few older ladies in that couldn't feed theirselves but mum said the nurses were very good and came to feed them. I just don't think certain aspects of mums care were what they should be.

think the number1 question is bernie, does yer mum think that? if so i would say yes, if not its a differant matter, aint being awkward just objective.

WillowTheWhisp · 21-05-2008, 22:42

I would say the bedpan wait was definitely worth complaining about, and the dressing. If these things are not reported then standards could slip even further. No-one should have to wait 15 minutes for a bedpan and if the reason for that is because the nurses were busy attending to someone else then it is the staffing level which is the problem not the dedication of the staff. If staff tried to complain they would possibly not be taken seriously at best or ............ well their life made harder at worst. If patients complain it is more likely to be taken seriously.