Altho' my mother has since passed away, one thing sticks in my mind. The second day of my vigil by mum's bedside. When I arrived, 2 members of mum's lunch club were visiting, and one of them, who had been a nurse, remarked that mum's lips were dry and went to see a nurse. She asked for a piece of foam to dip in water, and initially the nurse said she wasn't sure they had any. Finally she found one and dipped it in water and very carefully moistened mum's lips. I asked her , if she wanted more water, to open her mouth wide, which she did, and after a while of this, she opened her eyes and looked at us. She tried to speak, but was unable. What a difference to how she had been when I came in. If we had waited till nurses had realised that that was what mum needed, we wouldnt have witnessed mum opening her eyes, I am sure.
Likewise, with the patient in the next bed. She was in obvious discomfort, but no nurse came to check on her. A number of people have told me similar stories. I do realise that nurses are under a lot of pressure, but it isnt right that relatives and friends need to attend to their loved one's care.
Mum wasn't in hospital for long, so I didnt have the opportunity to see how common or other wise this is.
Likewise, with the patient in the next bed. She was in obvious discomfort, but no nurse came to check on her. A number of people have told me similar stories. I do realise that nurses are under a lot of pressure, but it isnt right that relatives and friends need to attend to their loved one's care.
Mum wasn't in hospital for long, so I didnt have the opportunity to see how common or other wise this is.