to want to name and shame this hospital for the truly shocking care my mother has recieved there. Let this tell you what's been going on there.

[FluffySaysTheDailyMailsShite]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/848288-My-mother-39-s-being-sectioned-today-as-the-hospital

I am so very, very angry!

[FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire]

I will tell my sister to do this, I feel so bad for my mum, she must be in so much pain. They may have to remove her big toe, I can't see her being able to move around at all after this, she won't be able to balance. It was so needless.

[edam]

I'd write to the chief exec, if I were you, as well as doing the PALS thing. Chief exec at Stafford should be jumping every time anyone mentions a patient has received less than exemplary care atm.

[FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire]

He should jump, I bet there will be a big cover up though. Her care was so below standard it's unbelievable. She was discharged with an infection!! I need to get hold of her notes really.

[edam]

yes, PDQ, before they 'go missing' as someone else mentioned.

Hope your poor mother recovers very soon.

[Ineedabreak]

From care quality commission website:-

Complain about the NHS
Find out how to make a complaint about NHS services.

If you have a complaint about NHS services you need to contact the NHS directly.

Where do I start?

1. Ask your hospital or trust for a copy of their complaints procedure. Your first step will normally involve raising the matter, either in person or in writing, with the practitioner, e.g. the nurse or doctor concerned, or with their organisation's complaints manager. This is called local resolution and most cases are resolved at this stage.

1. If you're still unhappy with the outcome, you can then go to the Health Service Ombudsman, who is independent of the NHS and government.

Who can help?
Making a complaint can feel like rather a daunting process, but there is help available.

The Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS): There is a PALS in every NHS trust and they can provide further information and discuss options with you about how your complaint can be resolved. Some complaints can be taken up by PALS on your behalf and resolved to your satisfaction. Other complaints may require an investigation to be carried out, subject to the nature of your complaint. In either case, PALS is a good starting point. You can locate your local PALS through PALS Online or by visiting the NHS Choices website.

The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS): ICAS is a free, confidential and independent service which can help you make a formal complaint about NHS services.

NHS Direct: Free health advice and information.

Citizens Advice Bureau: They can advise on NHS complaints.

[FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire]

How can I get hold of her notes??

Thankyou My sister's going to talk to her tomorrow about going into sheltered housing, she won't be as mobile now

[FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire]

Thankyou ineedabreak.

[MavisEnderby]

Sounds awful.You need to contact PALS and also send a letter to the bigwigs...director of nursing,director of medicine and the main Trust bigwig.cc your letter to all of these and you can also request medical notes.If you want to scare them get a medical solicitor on board.

[FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire]

I'm going to scare them. I won't let this drop, my mum's life will never be the same again now.

Thankyou. I'm waiting for all the dates/info from my sister, she's written down who visited her, mum's condition, what the nurses told her etc.

[Vallhala]

Can I add Kings College Hospital in London to the name and shame idea?

This major London teaching hospital told my Nan there were no beds avilable to her when her GP rang to obtain help and she was dying of cancer. A week later she was taken to A&E where she lay on a trolley in admissions for 7 hours - my 76 year old Grandad went out to buy water for her as he couldn't get staff to supply her with a drink. She was then sent home as there were no beds.

Two weeks later she was again in tremendous pain and deep distress - she was 78 years old. Again, there were no beds at Kings although they happily found her one in the private ward, which thank god my family were able to afford. Then she was transferred to the NHS ward of the sister hospital to Kings.

She stayed there a week, coming home to pass away after finding one nurse particularly unkind - and please believe me my Nanny was NEVER the complaining type, loved by all and finding the best in everyone. In 29 years I never heard her complain of anyone before or raise her voice.

This was not before a nurse at the hospital said that she was dying - we knew this but had kept it from Nanny. When my family looked askance at the nurse she just shrugged and said, "oh well, she must know she is anyway" IN FRONT OF MY NANNY!

I feel for you Fluffy, I hope that the advice you have been given will help and that by standing up for those in ill health and badly treated by our hospitals we can change things for the better.

Wishing your Mum all the very, very best.

[FluffysBeenBittenByAVampire]

Oh vallhala. That's truly terrible treatment.

Thankyou.

[scottishmummy]

access to notes - if you write to Medical records Dept to request and state reason.they may charge a fee.PALS (patient Advisory Laiasion service) can also help you phone and book appt

be prepared you might find it uncomfortable,could someone go with you they will contain medical abbreviations/results etc.support you

you can see them at hospital or photocopies posted to you. may take number of weeks to process