Late Sunday night and I’m visiting my cousin who is very ill in Lewisham hospital.

In the bed opposite is an elderly gentleman, who seems to have a few things wrong with him, but let’s focus on the relevant ones. He is very confused and keeps on getting out of bed and walking around, even though he is not very steady on his feet.

One of the times that he decides to go for a walk, he takes a couple of bags and two walking sticks with him.

We didn’t notice him wondering off until we heard a loud crash as he fell against the door and dropped his belongings.

I ran up and grabbed him to support him so that he didn’t fall onto the floor and my friend who was also there ran out to find a nurse.

It just so happened that one was walking by and my friend asked him to help us, his response was shocking to say the least.

“I don’t work on this ward” was all that he uttered in a monotone voice as he looked at the man and then me before walking away as if nothing had happened.

I felt the anger boil up inside of me, but I wasn’t about to drop this poor old man to go and give the nurse a piece of my mind.

Thankfully, another nurse appeared moments later and called others to help, but that doesn’t excuse the attitude of the one that just walked on by.

Normally I’d blame the NHS and its lack of funding for things like this, but there is no excuse at all for that individual’s attitude and complete lack of compassion!