DNR and official complaints

Hi

After my initial complaint E mail I received the following;

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to learn that you have concerns regarding the care you received after your spinal surgery in October 2018.

Please be assured that the Trust take all concerns and complaints raised by patients and/or their family members very seriously and these are investigated in accordance with the NHS Complaints Procedure.

One of my colleagues will be in contact in the next few days to discuss in further detail the complaint process and timescales for investigation and response. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

I waited 25 days. No response. My daughter said perhaps its 25 working day?    Er yes  (wait a bit longer) NHS Protocol says all complaints must be addressed  in 25 days.

On the 7th of August I wrote again.

And on the 8th of August I received;

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to learn that you have concerns regarding the care you received after your spinal surgery in October 2018.

Please be assured that the Trust take all concerns and complaints raised by patients and/or their family members very seriously and these are investigated in accordance with the NHS Complaints Procedure.

One of my colleagues will be in contact in the next few days to discuss in further detail the complaint process and timescales for investigation and response. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

 To date no further communication..

So what do I do now?

Hi ,

I have no experience of this personally but I believe that the Parliamentary and health service ombudsman would be the next step.  Ombudsman

I hope that you get this resolved and think it is disgusting that they have failed to respond to you.

All the best,

Gragon 

That ‘reply’ is just a standard letter which is not on. They haven’t addressed your concerns at all. 

Hi Titus,

I was recently in hospital with pneumonia and pleurisy. 

The Consultant, one I hadn't met before asked if we could talk about a DNR. He said I was very sick, and the scans showed my treatment wasn't working. I have widespread metastases throughout my ribs and spine, and if my heart stopped they wouldn't be able to get me back. Ok then.

He later said that if I hadn't agreed to the DNR they would have over ruled me, because it wasn't in my best interests to put me through resuscitation that realistically wouldn't work. It's their decision.

I didn't have to sign anything. On discharge I was given a copy of the DNR which says that he discussed it with me, and it's signed by him.

I have a relatively good quality of life at the moment, and thought a DNR was a long way down the line. Having seen my scans and (as a former intensive care nurse) assisted in many resuscitations, I'm happy with the decision. Any acute problems such as infection, will be treated aggressively for now, but no CPR.

But like you, I thought I had to sign something, or if I was too ill, my family would have to sign something, and that it was my decision.

To me it's a bit like having a birth plan. You fill in all these forms about how you would like your delivery to go, but when push comes to shove, it's an illusion to think that you have any control when things go wrong. 

Sometimes I think we get far too much information, but completely understand that discovering there's a DNR in your notes without anyone discussing it with you is distressing. 

I hope you get the answers you need for peace of mind, it's the very least you deserve, and I'm sorry for the trauma this is causing you and your family. Your complaint might just stop another family going through the same thing. Best of luck. xx

Hi Tinalay

I've just read your reply to Titus and I just want to say that I am so glad that DNR was not put into operation. I know you are very ill and I want you to stay with us. You're one of my special friends on the site. Love the reasoning behind the name too, Tinalay

Tvman xx

Thanks for your lovely post Tvman, you are one of the people that helps me stay on my feet when the going gets tough.

I'll do my best to stay, there's still plenty to look forward to  xx

Hi Titus, By the time I 'found' your post and replies, I felt it was a bit late for me to reply but I have been watching to see if there have been any updates about your letter of complaint? The replies you have already had are what I would call "fob off" letters, which are replies that don't actually say anything! To get one is bad enough but to get a second one and no one actually addressing your complaint is just not on! Have you taken the matter further?

Tinalay, not long after my diagnosis a DNR was discussed with me at our local hospice and also at an appointment with my oncologist. Now I did have to sign a form and then it was put on my medical records. However, several years later when the Target Therapy had worked, I asked them to take this off of my notes, which it was! At that time I discussed it with my family and signed a Power of Attorney so that they would make the decisions if I couldn't! I don't think (I could be wrong) if you have a POA oin place the hospital can make any decisions without discussing it first! Why would they ask you if you agreed with a DNR note, if they were going to do it anyway? Doesn't make sense. Anyway, I hope you and me will be here for a long while yet and they are developing new drugs all the time, so if things change, they may have somethings else to give us!

Hi

Forgive me for responding so late. Combination of getting ready for a holiday and dealing with increased pain levels.

I received this on 8/19

Thank you for your email. I am sorry to learn that you have concerns regarding the care you received after your spinal surgery in October 2018.

Please be assured that the Trust take all concerns and complaints raised by patients and/or their family members very seriously and these are investigated in accordance with the NHS Complaints Procedure.

One of my colleagues will be in contact in the next few days to discuss in further detail the complaint process and timescales for investigation and response. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

This was received on the 30/819.

Further to my previous email where I acknowledged that your concerns were being investigated in line with the NHS Complaints procedure, I am writing to advise that regrettably, we have been unable to complete our investigations and send our response to you within the timeframe specified. I can confirm that the nursing and medical input has been received, but we are still due to receive additional input from the senior clinicians involved in your care. I anticipate that we will be in a position to send our response to you by 13 September 2019.

I am very sorry for the delay you have experienced and to thank you for your patience during this time.

To date Sunday 15/9/19 nothing.

Hi

Today is October the 13th.

Second deadline they have missed.

I understand the hospital has been going thru a full checkup. Which they faild

How long does it take to send me an Email?

Hi

Grrrrr! Send your email immediately! 
xx