Hospital no local....
Its 10 days now since my mother in law had her leg amputated at our local NHS hospital. Her care has been wonderful and shes doing remarkably well considering what shes going through. Yesterday, they had her out of bed and wheeling herself up and down the ward in a wheelchair.
Our big concern about her care is that the hospital or not communicating whats going on with her with the family as much as they should be. They are discussing her care and progress with mum, but as she has dementia, she doesn't recall all she is being told to pass on when we visit. I have been told by the Alzheimers society there is a charter in hospitals for dementia sufferers and that states that every conversation that takes place with the patient must be conveyed to a family member to ensure they receive the correct info. This is NOT happening. I know they are very busy...but this requirement really should not be overlooked surely??
Yesterday, very happy bubbly nurse informed is during a visit they have found a bed for mum at a 'local' cottage hospital and she may be on the move by the weekend. (This is for rehabilition to help her accept and cope with the changes that will occur in her 'new' life)
Now...this 'local' hospital is only local as its in the same county. There are 3 nearer hospitals but the nearest one is in a different county, so the funding for mum to go there is a problem.
But, if they send her to the planned hospital, it will be very difficult for us....and any local pals to visit. Obviously we will go at the weekends, when hubs is off work but evenings will be impossible as he doesnt get home till 6.30 and its over an hours drive to the hospital. From where we live, its a 2 hour bus trip and there no bus home after 8pm....so even if i went to visit on my own after work...i couldn't get home!
Many of her friends who are able to visit now in the current hospital are elderly and using the very good local bus service....so wont be able to go see her at the proposed place.
We told the nurse our concerns and she seemed totally pissed off with us.. as she clearly felt she was giving us good news about mums next step in recovery. It certainly isnt going to help mums recovery if she doesnt have frequent visits from loved ones!
So....as of today....nobody has rung us to give us any more info. I'm off to see her just now...see if anyone had any updates.
Our big concern about her care is that the hospital or not communicating whats going on with her with the family as much as they should be. They are discussing her care and progress with mum, but as she has dementia, she doesn't recall all she is being told to pass on when we visit. I have been told by the Alzheimers society there is a charter in hospitals for dementia sufferers and that states that every conversation that takes place with the patient must be conveyed to a family member to ensure they receive the correct info. This is NOT happening. I know they are very busy...but this requirement really should not be overlooked surely??
Yesterday, very happy bubbly nurse informed is during a visit they have found a bed for mum at a 'local' cottage hospital and she may be on the move by the weekend. (This is for rehabilition to help her accept and cope with the changes that will occur in her 'new' life)
Now...this 'local' hospital is only local as its in the same county. There are 3 nearer hospitals but the nearest one is in a different county, so the funding for mum to go there is a problem.
But, if they send her to the planned hospital, it will be very difficult for us....and any local pals to visit. Obviously we will go at the weekends, when hubs is off work but evenings will be impossible as he doesnt get home till 6.30 and its over an hours drive to the hospital. From where we live, its a 2 hour bus trip and there no bus home after 8pm....so even if i went to visit on my own after work...i couldn't get home!
Many of her friends who are able to visit now in the current hospital are elderly and using the very good local bus service....so wont be able to go see her at the proposed place.
We told the nurse our concerns and she seemed totally pissed off with us.. as she clearly felt she was giving us good news about mums next step in recovery. It certainly isnt going to help mums recovery if she doesnt have frequent visits from loved ones!
So....as of today....nobody has rung us to give us any more info. I'm off to see her just now...see if anyone had any updates.
