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Original poster

Oh god feel sick feel like handing my notice in

51 replies

Lilylay · 19/08/2019 18:06

Work as a carer for a lady with cerbal palsy. She has no mobility but had seizures so we always keep the bed sides up.

She had a seizure this morning and ended up leaning to one side so I put the bed side down and went to straighten her. As I leant over she has a massive seizure and lurched into me. I lost my footing and slipped backwards. She is quite heavy and her whole upper body was coming off the bed and Managed to catch her but the position I was on could not get her back on the bed so I eased her to the floor.

She is fine has a bit of a bump to the head which caught the side of the bed. I have reported it and my boss has said I did well and it was just a freak accident but I just feel sick and have not stopped shaking since and keep crying. The lady has been checked over. It just keeps going through my head a should have done better and I just want to hand my notice on as feel so awful about it all. Feel so sick inside
I have changed my user name as quite outing
I am on again tonight and just can’t stop shaking as I have just lost all faith in my ability

OP posts:
rainandshine52 · 19/08/2019 18:08

I'm a nurse. I think you did what you could and you probably prevented her having a greater injury as she landed on you. Just be kind to yourself and make sure you are fit before returning to work.

Billballbaggins · 19/08/2019 18:10

Please don’t be so harsh on yourself it sounds like you did the best you could in the situation

Original poster
Lilylay · 19/08/2019 18:11

I am physically fit I just can’t stop shaking and bursting into tears

OP posts:
JustOneLastThing · 19/08/2019 18:14

I'm a support worker in learning disabilities and it sounds like you did exactly the right thing. She was safe and you ensured she was checked over.

Maybe ask if you can have a debrief with your manager. Writing things down in a reflective practice can help you to work out if there are things that need to be done in case of a repeat situation. Cot sides need to be lowered to allow access but are there mats on the floor in case of falls? Are there enough carers to ensure safe moving and handling? There should be two at least but did you have anyone else extra to help you out?

Don't hand your notice in, you clearly have care and compassion and were trying your very best to look after someone in difficult circumstances.

Original poster
Lilylay · 19/08/2019 18:16

No their is just one of us on shift at a time with her. I have suggested the mats done the side of the bed

OP posts:
JustOneLastThing · 19/08/2019 18:18

@Lilylay I think you may have identified the issue right there. Are you turning and providing personal care on your own? Are you hoisting on your own? If so, you really need to raise the issue that it is not safe to perform these without another person.

Hecateh · 19/08/2019 18:18

sounds like you did a good job and possibly prevented injury. If the side had been up she may have slammed into it.

You were absolutely looking after her well and couldn't have done any better in the circumstances.

Goodnightjude1 · 19/08/2019 18:18

I’m a palliative care nurse and I know all too well how you must be feeling. You did your best in the situation and seemingly stopped her from gaining a far worse injury.

I looked after a lady with MND who sadly passed away as we were hoisting her in to the bath. It was awful, I kept going over and over it for days...but the reality was, she was being nursed on a wonderful, specialist Palliative care unit and had a very comfortable, happy (as she could be given the circumstances) last few months. It was just something that happened and couldn’t have been stopped/changed or foreseen.

Perhaps if someone else had been where you were, they’d have moved out of the way/frozen to the spot...

You did the right thing and your boss has acknowledged that 💐

Celebelly · 19/08/2019 18:18

You've had an awful fright but it sounds like you did all you could. It's a good thing you were there to be with the poor lady too. A bump on the head is very minor in the grand scheme of things.

No one was was badly hurt so don't be hard on yourself Thanks But the fact you care so much shows you're bloody good at what you do!

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 19/08/2019 18:19

Actually I think the last thing you should be thinking of doing is resigning. My parents have both been service users and I assure you that a true accident can’t be helped, but someone caring and compassionate is an absolute godsend in multiple ways. 💐

Lumene · 19/08/2019 18:21

Oh please don’t quit. You sound like exactly the kind of caring person who should be doing your job.

Snowy111 · 19/08/2019 18:27

This helps me remember that when I feel stressed in my office job there are a lot of much more important jobs out there!

This does sound like a freak accident and not your fault.

I have experience of needing carers for my elderly parents and you sound like exactly the sort of person I would be be happy and confident with - please don’t quit

ShhhBeQuiet · 19/08/2019 18:27

You poor thing. I not surprised you feel shaken but it would be such a shame to quit over something which was an accident. You sound like a really conscientious and caring career. You are needed!!!
I hope you feel better soon.

FattyPeddledFuriously999 · 19/08/2019 18:51

You did very well, you are just in shock and replaying it over and over in your head as your mind is trying to process. As someone said a debrief and reflective writing can help. Don't hand your notice in, take a day or 2 off rather than do that.

Original poster
Lilylay · 19/08/2019 18:58

I know deep down I could not have done anything more. She nearly fell out of the bed a few weeks ago when another carer had left the cot sides down when she went out the room. It was only someone else walking in that saved her completely falling out. That carer seems to shrug it off quite easily I would have beat myself up for days
All shifts are covered by one carer and we do all the turning and hoisting on our own. She is very heavy and she is early 20s so fully gown. She had no mobility as all of can’t assist herself with moving and lifting

OP posts:
Trixya · 19/08/2019 19:03

It sounds like you did everything you could in the moment and like a PP said, you sound like exactly the right type of person to be doing care work as you obviously really do care! I agree that you need to sit down with your manager and reflect on what happened/manage the risks moving forward.

Original poster
Lilylay · 19/08/2019 19:05

I just don’t know what to do about work tonight I am shaking like a leaf and just keep crying

OP posts:
flowersinthebedroom · 19/08/2019 19:34

(Carer for 10yrs)

I'm surprised you are hoisting alone, I believe it's a two person job.
How are you expected to turn with one, are you not using a slide sheet?
Are you employed by the family or a company?

PsGal · 19/08/2019 19:36

You really should not be doing that on your own. I teach care apprenticeships and I would be speaking to your employer if I was out observing you at work.

Have you had recent manual handling training?

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 19/08/2019 19:36

Is a risk assessment needed re she should have 2 carers? Ask for a debrief/ staff supervision. Was accident/ incident form filled in?

flowersinthebedroom · 19/08/2019 19:37

edgeservices.co.uk/faqs/moving-and-handling-faqs/

I was wrong about the two to hoist, I'm very surprised as everywhere I've worked both in people's own homes and care homes it's been very strictly enforced.

flowersinthebedroom · 19/08/2019 19:39

You did exactly the right thing, I was always taught to help clients glide to the floor.
Please go to work, the fact you are so distressed shows what a dedicated carer you are. You've lost your confidence and now you need to get back on the horse.

MaverickSnoopy · 19/08/2019 19:45

The fact that you care so much shows that you are absolutely in the right job. I hope that if I need someone to look after me at any point in my life, that they care as much as you.

Please dont resign. I dont think it would do you any favours emotionally and you'd always feel you had done wrong.

Original poster
Lilylay · 19/08/2019 19:50

Yep I filled in an incident form straight away. I have rung up today and been told the lady is absolutely fine. Just need to get my confidence back. If I don’t go back tonight I may never go back. Wish me luck

OP posts:
IWentAwayIStayedAway · 19/08/2019 19:52

Good luck @Lilylay

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