Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Elderly parents
Original poster

Discharge

41 replies

Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 17:48

Hi , I’ve just had such a shock my dad is currently in hospital after a stroke , I’ve just phoned to see how he is and he’s being discharged to rehab tomorrow
Nobody has phoned me to notify me the rehab is quite far , I spoke to the physio this morning and she mentioned this particular rehab , I told her if was too far but it seems they are moving him tomorrow

I’ve had no family meeting with the hospital or anything can they just do this ?

OP posts:
fuckmyuteruslining · 02/06/2023 08:07

It sounds like he's got capacity to make decisions about his care? It's possible they've spoken to him about the plan, he's agreed and given the impression you would be ok with it? You would normally only organise a meeting with relatives if there are questions about what's in the best interests of the patient and they can't decide that themselves. I agree more notice would be helpful.

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 22:11

I don’t think there will be much choice as it’s all to with catchment .
I know that the nhs is stretched & under staffed they do a fantastic job which I appreciate
I’ve seen a lot of patients come and go on my dads ward .
However that’s no excuse for not communicating with someone’s next of kin to discuss discharge and plan of actions .
I could have gone up there tomorrow and he would have been gone we only found out by chance .

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 01/06/2023 22:02

Sadly, beds in rehab are as rare as hens teeth at the moment. Once he’s there, you can look at getting him nearer to home. They won’t keep him in hospital just because it’ll be difficult for you to visit him.

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 21:57

I will be going to pals tomorrow. How can an elderly person with no family be sent to a rehab miles away which means he won’t get many visitors that’s not in my dads best interests

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 01/06/2023 21:06

Out of interest, what did you think was going to happen to him once he was medically well?
The problem is, the hospitals are so poorly staffed at the moment that nurses struggle to take care of the patients let alone phone relatives up regularly. You did say they’ve been lovely with him. It may well have been that the bed in rehab only came up today and the hospital didn’t have time to phone you before you phoned them. Rehab really is the best place for him to be. People can go downhill when they’re unnecessarily stuck on a hospital ward.
If he’s been discharged when you get there tomorrow, then staff won’t be able to discuss him with you - they’ll be too busy looking after someone else’s I’ll relative.
If you really want to complain, contact PALS.

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 21:01

Thankyou Louisetopaz21, I’m just so drained with the worry at the moment

OP posts:
Louisetopaz21 · 01/06/2023 20:57

Sadly there is no such thing as next of kin in law but good practice is they communicate with all interested parties. I wish you and your family luck.

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 20:46

Thankyou Gryffindoratheart, my dad seems ok on himself it’s just his mobility that’s not good
I’m going to the hospital in the morning face to face to speak to them

OP posts:
Gryffindoratheart · 01/06/2023 20:43

Yeah that's unacceptable that they haven't kept you updated if your the NOK.

Rehab hospitals are great for people like your dad, so it's a really positive thing he's going but I'm sorry that the communication with you has been shit.

Hope your dad is recovering well!

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 20:39

I’m the next of kin Gryffindoratheart they really don’t have an excuse not to have kept me informed

OP posts:
Gryffindoratheart · 01/06/2023 20:10

Who is listed as your dads next of kin? Hospitals tend to only let one person know and expect them to pass it on.

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 20:08

Thankyou for your kind replies , I am very angry with not being given an update . The communication is non existent but overall I have to say the nurses are so lovely to my dad & very kind .
I agree that hospitals are the worst places to be big this has come as a sudden shock which I didn’t know about .

OP posts:
fuckmyuteruslining · 01/06/2023 19:33

They may have planned him for rehab for some time but beds usually come up at relatively short notice. This is a positive step. Hospital is a dangerous place for somebody like him. He needs to get to rehab and then to home or care if needed.

AnnaMagnani · 01/06/2023 19:17

Not surprised you are angry, the ward would have been planning this for days or even weeks

Original poster
Scoobydo87 · 01/06/2023 18:17

Thankyou for your reply AnnaMagnani. I am so irate that nobody phoned to tell me that my dad was being discharged tomorrow
it was just by chance that my sister phoned the ward for visiting times to be told that he was being sent to rehab tomorrow

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 01/06/2023 17:53

Yes they can do this. Unfortunately rehab units tend to be few and far between so you don't get the option of somewhere nearer. They won't keep him in the hospital as they need the bed for the next person needing stroke care.

It would have been helpful for them to let you know earlier that they were aiming to get him to rehab all along and where it is.

Swipe left for the next trending thread