Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

My mum, who has dementia, was admitted at the QE on 5 occasions between August and December 2015. I am writing to the Chief Executive with the full details of my concerns. Here is just a summary: (1) Some nursing staff are friendly, approachable and helpful. Others are downright rude, ignorant and disrespectful. (2) Mum was fed a pork sausage on West One despite me telling staff over and over again that she is a Muslim and shouldn't be given any pig products. On the Bournville ward, a plate containing gammon was left in front of her and staff would have fed it to her if I hadn't got there just in time. (3) During 1 admission in September, when she was still in the CDU, I phoned the ward a total of 26 times between about 10 am and 2 pm, without the phone being answered. I then rang reception and said I was going to make a complain so I was put through to the Nurse in Charge. He told me he was too far away from where mum's bed was and didn't have time to go round and check. He told me to continue ringing and when I said I had been ringing all morning, his response was..."when I get a minute, I will pop my head round and tell staff to answer the phone". There was no apology or expression of remorse. (4) When I finally got through to the ward, in an angry mood by now, a member of staff told me he would go and look at mum's notes. He returned and told me she had pneumonia and had been started on medication. I informed the rest of my family about this diagnosis. When I later visited mum, the doctor's asked me questions that suggested mum had not yet been diagnosed. When I mentioned the pneumonia, the doctor expressed surprise and said no it was not that. This means that the nurse had read out notes from someone else's clinical records.

I had my appointment with the nuclear medicine team and was treated really well before during and after my scan on weds 10th June. Thank you to the lady who saw me.

They sent appointment immediately. The appointment was sent on a Saturday and early which suited us. It was only a matter of mins when we went to have the MRI done successfully.

Excellent service, given info, Aware what happen/ process, No waiting.

Talk to patient, do not think of them as a number. If have to wait let me know!

I am controlling my diabetes by diet. the food in QEHB was mainly batter and instant mash, chips and pasta, all of whichsent my blood glucose sky high. Not enough frui and veg.

Since having brain tumour seen twice yearly for eye check up. Excellent service, explains everything + nicest man ever.

I had an illness for 8 months. The Drs couldn't find what is was until 8 months later.

Waiting time quite long but worth it to see Doctor Sturman as I said

For nearly two years this hospital treated me with contempt and messed me about, in spite of repeated unnecessary and stressful appointments and admissions they failed to do the right basic tests for my condition or listen to me and basically implied that I was anxious when I in fact had a life threatening heart condition and my health was deteriorating. They ignored my complaints and they "lost" my medical records. I ended up giving up on them and going to a good hospital out of area where I was treated with respect, tested and treated within 6 weeks, no messing about and in stark contrast to the culture at this place. I am picking up the pieces from their vile mistreatment now. Strongly advise others to avoid this hospital if you have a choice.