Share review of Halton General Hospital

Halton General Hospital 2018-10-30 Person 4 5 0

I reluctantly accept mixed ward / single sex bays, although I would prefer a single sex ward, as using toilet facilities on a communal corridor while not fully clothed can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. I was VERY upset that the male visitor, to the lady patient opposite me, stayed on the ward during the hour or more that she was in theatre - particularly as he was using his mobile phone most of the time ( I am not saying that he was using the camera but it is an unwelcome possibility) THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE !!! He should have been asked to use the waiting room nearby until she returned. There is also the question of security for personal belongings , when patients are away from their beds and , more significantly an issue of personal safety of people in a vulnerable situation. When I raised these concerns with staff she closed curtains to give me more privacy but it was pointed out that visiting is 12 to 8pm. I think that 8 hours of visiting is unnecessarily long on a day case unit AND particularly on a urology ward when patients are frequently using toilet, bed pans , catheters etc. CURTAINS ARE NOT SOUNDPROOF AND DO NOT GIVE MUCH PRIVACY. It is embarrassing enough with other ladies in the same room but extremely demeaning with an unknown man a few feet away from you. Perhaps a polite notice to all patients, male and female, that, if they have visitors of the opposite sex, they should draw the curtains around their own bed to give others on the ward a modicum of dignity , privacy, consideration and respect. Any patient who is mobile could spend time with their visitors in the day room or waiting room. I sincerely hope that some thought is given to this situation in the hope of improving this aspect of peoples' care. I would appreciate a response to my concerns and suggestions. Mrs. C .Utley email carolyn.utley@live.co.uk