The sad truth...

I had the misfortune to visit an elderly relative in hospital this evening.

Not just because he has broken his hip and is suffering from a chest infection, but alas because of the lack of nursing empathy I witnessed first hand today.

I am a big supporter of the NHS. I love the fact that we have free health care and for the most part, amazing staff who help us in so many ways; in an emergency; with our concerns over our children; GP support etc etc - however sometimes, just sometimes, there are shit nurses who do crappy jobs.

My elderly relative is tired of trying to excuse their non-responsive behaviour, lack of compassion and general ignorance of his condition. He is actually becoming more unwell by their attitude and lack of caring, to the point that I fear he may lose the will to continue living.

He is talked over whenever he does actually get someone to answer his bell call. His opinion and knowledge on his own long standing condition of diabetes is ignored and dismissed, even though he has been managing his diabetes for over 50 years; and today I actually witnessed a Staff Nurse call him a 'muppet' whilst he tried to explain how he felt about something.

They have taken everything away from him. His independence, his ability to talk coherently and converse...he has even been waiting for five days for his personal effects to be transferred from the previous hospital he was at, so they have managed to leave him without any dignity either. Just consider what an 80 year old's man personal effects may be.

Being a patient in hospital is not something any of us would choose to do. None of us want to be in an environment where we are effectively bed bound, or living with five other strangers on a permanent basis so why do some nurses behave as though we are an inconvenience? Why is it necessary to mistreat and dismiss the simple basic human requirement of company, conversation and compassion?

Once again - I know this story is not something we witness on a daily basis. I am aware that there are some amazing nurses out there, who really do make it their vocation in life. Alas, there are also others who really, quite honestly, couldn't give a shit. It is those who are dangerous in my mind. Through their actions, people that we love are being bullied and being made to feel even more vulnerable than they already feel.

Now while I, and my family, are able to complain and fight on his behalf - get annoyed, check drugs charts, blood sugar levels etc, unfortunately we can not be there all the time, and the time that he is alone is exactly what I am worried about. As why go on living when you feel completely worthless...which makes that, the sad truth.