Hospital authorities gave elderly patients a tambourine to shake if they needed help in an emergency. But the makeshift call system sparked anger among relatives who said most patients are too frail to make a proper noise with the instruments.
The instruments were placed in a day room situated quite a distance from the main nurses’ station. Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Ruth Marks, said, “This does not afford any patient dignity and respect, let alone safety. Resources may be limited, but installing a system so people can easily call for help while in hospital must be a priority.”
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council branded the system “totally inappropriate”. Chief officer Steve Allen said: “Patients shouldn’t have to resort to a tambourine to get assistance.” Victoria Lloyd, of the charity Age Cymru, said, “Expecting patients to use a tambourine to attract attention is inappropriate, patronizing and denies them dignity.”
Hospital chiefs have apologized and promised to install an emergency bell. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board executive director Ruth Walker said, “It appears well-meaning staff have looked for ways to allow patients to make better use of the day room and provide a way of calling for help. Sadly the solution, while well intentioned, was not appropriate. A lightweight hand bell will now be sourced as a matter of urgency and patients will be accompanied while using the dayroom in the meantime. We sincerely apologise for any distress this has caused.”
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