Hospital apologises for making patients shake tamborine for nurse

A hospital has apologised after forcing elderly patients to use a tamborine rather than an electric buzzer to attract attention in an emergency. The tambourine was put in a day room in a hospital wing after elderly patients feared it was too far for nurses to hear any cries for help.

Watchdogs found the musical instrument was the only emergency call system for patients using the room in the West Wing of Cardiff Royal Infirmary. "It is ridiculous. These people are pensioners not members of the Monkees or Mick Jagger," said one resident.



"Where is the dignity in asking old and frail people to bash on a tambourine if they are in trouble? It makes the NHS look like a laughing stock." He claimed that earlier there was a pair of maracas in the day room for patients to use - in case the tambourine was broken.

Steve Allen, chief officer of Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council, said: "This is totally inappropriate. Patients shouldn't have to resort to shaking a tambourine to get a nurse's assistance." Ruth Walker, executive director of nursing for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, apologised for the tambourine and said a new emergency bell will be installed.