It is sadly very true, that the quality of the nursing staff (even if it is just how they relate with the patients and relatives) can make all the difference in how you see a hospital. The only defence that I can think of, would be that the number of nurses for each patient is higher in CCU and ITU, while in the more general wards the nurses have to look after more patients, and therefore have less time to be nice, or even less time to actually do the 'caring' that seems to have been forgotten from the nurses job description. And the filth in the ward...well there is no arguement there - but this is what happens when you employ people for a minimum wage to o a job that is _essential_ to the well being of the patients and the hospital. I think I know which Charge nurse you are talking about, and he is a nice bloke - always friendly if we do a transfer, and normally well on top of things. Have you let the hospital know your concerns? It might (hah!) shake a few cobwebs loose... Best wishes for your dad, -Tom