"Staff shortage impacting care"

My parent has recently had a stroke where they are now significantly sight impaired as well as having mobility and stability loss. They were assessed as suitable for the rehabilitation program. In my opinion, the ward is understaffed and, I believe, currently has several acute patients requiring care, leaving the rehab patients short of support. As my parent needs assistance with all ADLs they miss several of their rehab sessions as they are not ready to go. I have suggested how their eye can be taped to assist them to see something for meals and rehab sessions and not cause damage or pain when being removed, but I believe this is not always done and large pieces of tape are stuck to their eyelid, this is painful to remove. With limited vision, staff and drs need to remember to introduce themselves, let my parent know they are there and when meals arrive, make sure they are assisted to open and set up to eat.

My parent has had a fall whilst with staff and now also has a fractured radius.

All this hampers their ability to improve.

I feel frustrated as I believe the shortage of staff on the ward makes care haphazard and in my opinion, delays rehab programs success. I believe this is not a place for acute patients without additional staffing to meet their needs. In addition, there are several students in the ward and I believe they also need support to learn and practice good, safe care.