"To not receive pain relief is just awful"

My Grandma had a short stay in admissions 1 following a fall at home resulting in a fractured pelvis. She has since been transferred to another hospital for rehab prior to returning home.

The majority of the staff on this ward were fantastic, nothing was too much trouble. 

However, I have one concern that appears to be a theme regarding this ward.

As a nurse myself, I fully understand the pressures faced by staff in the NHS. This being said, basic care and pain management should be met for all, regardless of staffing. I was really angry to learn that my Grandma had not been given pain relief for 16hrs despite having a fracture. When I asked the nurse regarding her pain relief and what she was prescribed, I was told ‘she didn’t ask for it’.

On checking her kardex, she was written up for regular pain relief but had not received it. 

This to me was unacceptable.

The first time she asked to be assisted to the bathroom, she was asked if she could get up to use a commode. For someone who had received no pain relief, had a fractured pelvis and had not been assessed by a physio was also a concern.

I fully understand that being short staffed does impact on care but to not receive pain relief is just awful. 

I hope the feedback that is given does lead to change so that another individual does not have to go through the same experience that my Grandma did.