Care Of The Elderly ‘Is Like That Of The Third World’

Basic hygiene care of elderly people on a geriatric ward has been likened to that in the Third World. County councillor Geoffrey Heathcock has hit out after learning about the experience of an 82-year-old patient on ward F3 at Addenbrooke’s Hosptial in Cambridge.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, spent eight days on the ward in July but was not offered a bath or shower by nurses. Her 82-year-old husband asked if he could give his wife a wash – but was horrified to find the only bathroom was being used to store furniture.

He had to move a bed and chairs out of the way so his wife could use the wash basin and shower. He said he faced the same obstructions every day, and when he was sent to shower his wife in another bathroom he could not even get through the door because of the amount of items being stored in there. “I certainly expected more,” he said. “I feel very sorry for the old people who are still on that ward.”

Coun Heathcock, Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet member for health, communities and social care, said he was disgusted by the patient’s experience. He said: “It is disgusting that in this day and age, in a major teaching hospital, that if a patient wants a shower it is up to relatives to sort it out. To just be told to use a hand basin is like being in Africa. No matter what your age you should be entitled to care and dignity.”

A spokesman for Addenbrooke’s admitted there was a problem on the ward and said: “Bathing facilities on ward F3 are currently not up to the standard we would like. We apologise to any patients who have been affected by the problem. Plans have already been drawn up to install an additional shower on the ward over the next few months.”

He said nurses should ensure patients have the opportunity to wash as often as needed.