A NATIONAL DISGRACE

 

She was eighty eight

When she went in ,

Frail , but relatively healthy .

She’d had a fall

And her faculties were gone .

So they questioned her ,

But , she could not

Give the correct answers .

So she starved and lay in pain .

 

The leg brace she wore

When she went in

Was not used .

So once she was

Out of bed

She could not

Manoeuvre when asked .

Being awkward they said .

When challenged

No one knew of the brace

Because it was

In a cupboard drawer

At the side of the bed .

So she starved and lay in pain .

 

Deteriorating ,

Just fading away .

She did not

Want to be there ,

She wanted to be

Home .

But she got an

Infection ,

Which  , was cured

They said

And interviewed

Her because  they

Wanted the bed .

But she got an

Infection

Which , this time

They did not cure

And this distressed

The family even more .

So much so

And because of her state ,

We decided that

Do not resuscitate

Would be the

Kindest thing .

When we weren’t there

She’d be left

In a room all alone

For God knows

How long

In surroundings

That were very poor .

She died in a hospital

Called Manchester Wythenshawe .

 

Understaffing

And overworked nurses

Caused lack of care

And lack of attention ,

Leaving me full

Of anger and words

I will not mention .

I wanted to take

The matter further ,

To get it investigated ,

To raise awareness

But , family prevented me

Causing a furore .

I will never forgive YOU

Manchester Wythenshawe .

.