CQC - Calow hospital

[Old Cruser]

The DT reports that the CQC have found that the Calow hospital did not protect patients from the risks of inadequate nutrition and dydration.

It's taken them long enough to find this out hasn't it!

In the 80's my elderly neighbour was in there following a stroke, his wife told me she was having to go at meal times to feed him as food was just being left on the table over his bed, on one occassion she found a fish bone in his meal.

Fast forwarding to the 90's when my MIL was in Calow, hubby and I were needing to go every lunch time as the same thing was happening to her.

This CQC isn't enough as far as checks go, I think not only Derbyshire but all counties should also provide an independant body of people to go on more regular visits.

The same goes for the nursing homes and for care agencies who support at home -

 I myself finished three care agencies in eighteen months who were supposedly supporting my daughter and mum.

Not a happy bunny on this one at all. 

ps I have since looked at the agencies outcomes of CQC checks and all failed on all but one crtiteria!

Come on Derbyshire wake up!!

[Big Dave]

My O/H thought the food was OK when she was in The Royal last year (intensive care then three different wards) and plenty to drink too. She said that meals were left if patients were asleep when they came round but usually a nursing auxiliary came and helped those who needed it. She reckoned some elderly patients had problems opening drink cartons but she sometimes helped  or nursing staff were at hand. Often family members would visit at lunchtimes; much nicer for patients as needing help eating is a bit embarrassing.

The only problem we had was when her medication was missed when she was transferred to a different ward. We made a formal complaint and had a meeting with the matron to sort it out. We also reckoned that some of the agency nurses, one in particular,  had an attitude problem and would have raised it if she'd been in longer. She transferred to Hallamshire and thought the food in there was nowhere near as good as at The Royal.

My Mum was also admitted  to The Royal after she had a minor stroke when staying with us a few years ago. She loved it in there and thought the staff were wonderful; we couldn't fault the care she received though she was only in a few days under observation.

I'm now in and out for tests every few months and the only issue I have is that things are not always fully explained. You need to keep asking questions as it's assumed you've taken in everything you've been told;  not always the case when it's about a long term condition and the news has come as a bit of a shock. Otherwise, we can't really fault the place - we've seen much worse in other parts of the country.

[Old Cruser]

My mum seemed ok when she went in during 2012 but she could get her meals and feed herself, she also said she enjoyed the meals given to her.
I have to agree with you Dave re- having to keep chasing the designated nurse to ask what was happening etc I had this with hubbies mum and both my parents. I understand how busy they are but family need to be kept up to date about their loved ones so all hospitals need to make sure this is set into place.
Do know of two horror stories at Calow but as it didn't happen to me I won't repeat them.
On a plus side I must admit the new eye clinic is much improved having visited there around 6 times this year and all appointments were on time makes a huge improvement to previous years.
Only fault was the tap in the toilets  is too big, I turned it on to find water on my feet and the floor - the tap is actually too big for the wash bowel 
The last time pre this year I took a relative and the appointments were running so late I had to cancel my lunch date with my friend. So that's one improvement.
Some horror stories in the newspapers about other hospitals at the moment.