Hospital apologises as ward runs out of towels

3:46pm Friday 5th September 2008

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ARROWE Park Hospital has apologised after a retired nurse admitted to an acute ward was given pillowcases to dry herself after taking a shower.

Margaret Garrity, 65, was transferred to hospital from her doctor’s surgery with a suspected stroke after she experienced blurred vision.

She was admitted as an emergency but as she lives alone had no immediate access to her overnight clothing or toiletries.

After tests she was transferred the following evening to ward 23, the acute stroke unit.

“I asked the nurses if I could have a shower and some emergency toiletries as it was very warm,” said Margaret.

“But I was told they held no toiletries, so I asked for a towel and some soap instead.”

The nurse told Margaret that they had run out of towels and none would be available until the following morning.

She was then offered two pillowcases on which to dry herself.

“I was flabbergasted,” said Margaret.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“I had to accept the offer as I really needed to have a shower as the wards were really warm and clammy.

“But the experience was terrible.

“It was extremely demoralising having to dry myself on pillowcases.

“To think that they would run out of towels on an acute unit!

“I wouldn’t dry myself on pillowcases at home and this is supposed to be a hospital. I’d hate to think what happens to the very sick.”

Margaret, from Egerton Street, New Brighton, added: “I was a nurse for 20 years and this would never have happened once.”

New Brighton councillor Sue Taylor, a member of Wirral Council’s adult social care scrutiny committee, said: “I think it is appalling.

“What kind of health service are we running that hasn’t got the most basic facilities on an acute ward?

“And, if we haven’t got those facilities on an acute ward, what level of care are people getting on normal surgical wards?” Margaret wrote a letter of complaint to the hospital on August 11, and contacted Cllr Taylor when she had not received a reply.

Michael Monaghan, director of nursing and midwifery at Arrowe Park Hospital, said: “I can confirm that we are investigating Mrs Garrity’s concerns and are sorry for not acknowledging her letter sooner.

“We will be responding to her directly following the conclusion of the investigation. I can only offer my sincerest apologies that we are not able to provide a towel. This is not acceptable and was due to demands on lines stocks on the ward that day.

“We will, of course, be looking into ways of avoiding this situation in the future.”