Sheer frustration

Less than one minute read time.

FormerMember

13 Nov 2009

I have lost complete faith in the NHS. They was debating whether to send dad home or whether to wait for a bed to become available at the hospice. They took him off IV fluids the other night and they was to see how he was managing with drinking fluids. Both his legs have swollen up because the tumour is blocking both lymph nodes now so his legs are massive. I go in today and speak to the nurse and she tells me he has been taken off the waiting list for the hospice, they wouldnt have told us if I hadnt asked. I am absolutely fuming, he is already started the not drinking or eating he has a little food which the hospital has deemed enough. I know they are going to send him home and we will be back where we was a couple of weeks ago. Words cannot decribe how mad I am, its also a Friday which means there is nothing I can do till Monday when he is being released on Sunday.

johnr over 15 years ago

Hi Terri, Scarlet has explained a little further what should be happening, you need to have that discussion and stand your ground to get to monday, when a social worker should be assigned to your day. They will then assist in putting things in place and agreeing how and when he can be discharged.

If you need more help just shout as there are bigger issues as to who will pick up costs if your father needs additional support further down the road.

best wishes john
- Cancel
- Up 0 Down
- Reply
- More
- Cancel
johnr over 15 years ago

Forgot to mention it may be worth pursuing the hospice route still and seek an explanation as to why he won't go there.

Often the hospice is used as a halfway house to enable a care plan to be done and again the social worker would be involved. Ask has contact been made with social services and if so why have you not been advised and involved and if not why not.

also speak with the senior medical staff - doctors only they can discharge a patient.
- Cancel
- Up 0 Down
- Reply
- More
- Cancel
FormerMember over 15 years ago

There is quite a complex process for discharging a patient - I know 'cos we spent a whole day in a workshop on this very subject. Everything from sending someone to assess your home, finding out who will carry out the medical procedures, to ensuring that the right drugs are available and there's somewhere safe to store them.

Acute hospitals are not the place for the terminally il, but unfortunately we don't have enough hospice beds in this country - its a pity really that the Tory government closed down all the cottage hospitals, but then they wouldn't have been able to sell off the land to their mates in the building trade. Oops, little bit of politics there.

There should also be an end-of-life plan, and you can ask to be involved in the discussion about that.

John
- Cancel
- Up 0 Down
- Reply
- More
- Cancel