Stroke Recovery: Problems With Staffing In Hospital

We had a lot of problems in hospital because they are so short staffed and the nurses have to do a lot of non-nursing things like serve the food and pour glasses of water. A lot of patients are elderly and confused and buzz just to ask where they are and if they've had their tea yet. Many times I was upset because I pressed the buzzer and was left for some time before anyone came. If you wanted the toilet, you just had to go in the bed, and then the nurses had more work to do cleaning you up and changing the sheets. They welcomed it when we said we were lodging a formal complaint, because no one listens to them when they ask for extra staff.

Why Press The Buzzer?

Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?
Other patients need her and she's only one.
Not enough nurses to see to everyone.
Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?

The nurses treat us with patience and care,
But how can they minister when they're not there?
And what about the little things that ease each one?
Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?

How can they see to so many needs:
A pillow, a drink, a pain, a feed?
The old lady looking for her mum.
Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?

They put you in a pad so you can go
To the toilet when the nurses are slow.
Just soil yourself and they'll later clean your bum.
Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?

Better hope it's not urgent when you call the nurse,
There's too many patients, and some of them worse.
They've only got time to see to some.
Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?

Equipment and supplies run short,
Then there's a crisis and all is fraught.
It's lonely and frightening when no one comes.
Why press the buzzer when the nurse won't come?