Video will be available shortly

Margaret is the carer of Sheila, a lady with learning difficulties. Sheila broke her ankle and required admission to hospital. Sheila also has a number of long-term conditions requiring medication and diet control.

• Sheila chapter 1: Admittance to hospital

  Margaret explains the circumstances surrounding Sheila's admission at a time when there was an outbreak of infection at the hospital. 

• Sheila chapter 2: Diet and medication

  Margaret describes the difficulties she had in trying to ensure Sheila's diet and medication were maintained during her hospital stay.

• Sheila chapter 3: The stress of requesting help

  Margaret describes her frustration at feeling ignored by care staff when she explained Sheila's requirements and the lack of accommodation for her special needs.

• Sheila chapter 4: Gifts and cleanliness

  Margaret tells how food she had taken in for Sheila was found in the same bag as dirty clothing. 

• Sheila chapter 5: Discharge to home

  Margaret describes a situation where it seems that preparation for discharge could have been handled better. 

• Sheila chapter 6: Conclusions and summary

  Margaret was dismayed by a lack of accommodation and awareness of both Sheila's learning disabilities and her long-term conditions.