In today’s society we are understandably shocked by the atrocities around the world and by the level of crime and injustice we hear, read or see in the media. The untimely death of a frail, elderly dementia patient could be overlooked, unless that person happened to be your dad.

My dad spent the last weeks of his life in two different hospitals before he passed away at home on August 14, 2014. At North Middlesex Hospital, where he was initially referred to by his GP for assessment, he fell and needed a hip replacement. He then lost the desire and ability to eat, drink and talk, and never walked again. He had horrific bed sores and was ashen all over.

Most medical professionals would argue that his quality of life was poor. The ramifications of his stay in hospital coupled with his dementia meant his death was inevitable.

I would argue the ratio of nurses to patients is poor. We need more nurses to prevent the inevitable death of other patients like my dad.

Elderly people are not just a drain on the NHS – they are fathers, mothers and grandparents. They deserve the highest level of compassion, care, respect and dignity.

Unfortunately, my dad became the patient frequently described as ‘the one who falls through the net’. I only wish someone, anyone, had been there to catch him.

Mrs Konce Camci

Highworth Road, New Southgate