A book by a woman who spent her life in the NHS exposes the unthinking neglect of patients by some of today's nurses. Her words will shock you, but make a vital contribution to the debate over the NHS's future

A book by a woman who spent her life in the NHS exposes the unthinking neglect of patients by some of today's nurses. Her words will shock you, but make a vital contribution to the debate over the NHS's future

My next door neighbour ­Lillian was a spritely lady in her 80s.

For much of her life she had been a skilled seamstress and paid particular ­attention to her dress and appearance, but one morning her daughter Margaret came round to tell me Lillian had been taken ill and admitted to hospital.

I went to visit her that afternoon, after finishing my shift as a practice nurse at our local GP ­surgery. When I arrived on the geriatric ward the sister in charge and several other nurses were ­sitting around their station, drinking tea and ­sharing a joke.

I asked where Lillian was and Sister pointed to a four-bedded bay directly opposite them. The only occupant was an elderly lady who was sitting slumped over her table, face down in her ­congealing meal, both slippered feet surrounded by a puddle of urine.

As I approached, I had great difficulty believing what I was seeing. I was disgusted that my friend and neighbour could be treated in such a manner.

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