Care Opinion

Poor oral hygiene, undignified care and lack of oral fluids

Posted By Cushendall12

"Poor oral hygiene, undignified care and lack of oral fluids"

About: Royal Victoria Hospital / Acute Stroke Unit Royal Victoria Hospital / Care of the Elderly

(as a relative),

My elderly parents were admitted a few times to hospital from October to December 2022.

The Trust and wards were under pressure and a good bit of the care was excellent however I feel the need to raise the fact that the basics of care were too often absent including:

No oral hygiene considered at anytime – no help to clean teeth

No help to drink - my parents on different occasions, were extremely thirsty - as they were unable to drink/reach fluids/glasses of water set out of reach. My mother was subsequently started on IV fluids as she became dehydrated in the Royal Victoria Hospital Stoke unit which was very well staffed by nurses.

Failure to recognise oral thrush and delay treatment for several days.

My father was told to use an incontinence pad rather than be taken to the toilet which he was supplied with despite the fact he was not incontinent. On one occasion when he was taken to the toilet during visiting time he was wheeled across the four bedded bay with no clothes on except an incontinence pad. When I raised this I do not think the staff could comprehend there was any problem,  even though I raised his privacy and dignity as issues. This was in a surgical ward in the RVH.

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Responses

Response from Catherine McQuade, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 14 months ago
Catherine McQuade
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 10/01/2024 at 17:41
Published on Care Opinion on 11/01/2024 at 09:26

Good afternoon,

My name is Catherine McQuade. I am the divisional nurse with responsibility for some of the surgical wards within The Royal Victoria Site. I am saddened to read about your experience and care given to your parents. Whilst we are reviewing your concerns please feel free to contact me at catherine.mcquade@belfasttrust.hscni.net.

Kind regards,

Catherine.

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Response from Jane Carlisle, Lead Nurse for Stroke Service , Community Stroke and Acute Stroke, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 12 months ago
Jane Carlisle
Lead Nurse for Stroke Service , Community Stroke and Acute Stroke,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 05/03/2024 at 16:40
Published on Care Opinion on 06/03/2024 at 09:54

Good Afternoon Cushendall12

My names is Jane Carlisle I am the interim lead nurse for Stroke Services in the Belfast Trust. I am replying saddened and concerned regarding you and your parents experience within the Belfast trust. In particular your mothers experience whilst on the stroke unit, as this is my service responsibility. As with all care opinion feedback (positive or negative) I will ensure that this is highlighted and passed onto the team, who I am sure will be as saddened as I am to hear. I will endeavour to ensure that our standards are monitored and maintained in relation to fluid balance monitoring. If you have any further queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at: jane.carlisle@belfasttrust.hscni.net.

Hoping your mother and father are both on the road to recovery.


Many thanks

Jane Carlisle

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