To think that this isn't on?

[Carlie97]

This isn't an NHS bashing thread. I'm entirely grateful for the under resourced, hard working staff and think they're nothing short of amazing.

I went to visit my very ill friend in hospital tonight. There were lots of staff near the desk that I could see through the window of the door, but when I tried to get on the ward by pressing the buzzer numerous times, not one of them answered the intercom and let me through. I eventually got through via a porter going out. I mentioned it when I went in as I was stood like a lemon for five minutes waiting to be let in and one of them laughed and said that they all hear the buzzer, they just don't answer it. I was rather aggrieved. During my time there I saw other people ringing the intercom trying to get through but they were ignored for a long time and eventually they left.

Providing it was within visting times then of course this is not acceptable. Raise it with PALS and I would also tell the ward that you are raising it with PALS.

I've seen this too. Absolutely dreadful. They need matrons back on the wards. Standards are diabolical.

They've had matrons back for about 15 years @dubbie

Why on earth would they do this? I mean how on earth is it tasking to let someone in the ward!

Please don't defend the NHS, which allows this behaviour routinely

Demand an upgrade to the 21st century

I feel that I will report it. If any patients went for a walk (I have done during a past stay in hospital, just round the nearby corridors for exercise), they'd be there forever waiting to be let back in.

I also wanted to ask where my friend was, so was waiting at the unmanned desk for a further five minutes while about four staff members walked past. I later went to ask someone something sat at the same desk which was earlier unmanned and she didn't acknowledge me until I started speaking, forcing her to listen to me. It was very unpleasant. I know they're very, very busy but people coming in only when people are going out is a security risk too.

This is awful. What else are they not doing? Now, obviously, if they were dealing with an emergency, you wouldn't mind. But it is important for patient welfare to have visitors (I honestly believe my gran would have died without it, one of the times she was in), not to mention that it's already stressful enough for relatives, who have probably worked all day and cared for their family, and the last thing they need is this, More seriously, it's vital to keep an eye on bad staff-look at how the nurses treated patients on the stroke ward in Blackpool, and about patients being sexually assaulted. I know some great NHS staff, but as PP say, report these ones-there's lots of young nurses who can't get a job, so they should get the chance to replace ones like this. Write to the MP, and maybe they can find out how often this has happened.

Can I call the staff member that laughed and said they ignore the intercom an ignorant twat then, because that's what he was. He was the one stood by the reception desk constantly whilst I was trying to get in both times. He was busy writing something the whole time, but still.

For both times I was waiting to be let in the door, that's valuable time I could've been with my dear friend whos life is never going to be the same. I was so stressed by time I got to him. I'm so glad I saw him today though. He's so lovely and deserves better than he's going through right now.

This is how you write your complaint to PALS and the director of nursing, forget trying to speak with the ward staff