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Original poster

The latest issue with DHin hospital, can you help?

190 replies

Toorapid · 09/02/2021 18:55

People have been so helpful.

He's still in hospital, still very confused but a bit more lucid if you catch him at the right time.

However, he's managed to lock himself out of his iPhone.

The McMillian nurse, who admitted IT is not her thing, says it's asking for his Apple ID. I don't use Apple and haven't a clue. DS1 has managed to get into his apple account using some guesswork, but to unlock it needs to get into his work emails, which none of us can do.

DH has his work laptop with him, a week ago he was using it and checking emails from his hospital bed, but now doesn't seem to be able to open it. He's getting very cross with himself because he can't make it do what he wants.

So our only way to contact him is via the bedside phone, which is extortionate and most annoyingly has a long message,which you're paying for, before you even get put through to the phone. Plus we can't send him texts etc. Which has been a way to let him know we're thinking of him (whether he knows it or not) when he hasn't been well enough to talk.

Any ideas how we get this phone unlocked?

OP posts:
IsthisocdOrnormal · 09/02/2021 20:46

Are you getting some sort of support for yourself? It’s incredibly hard dealing with a very ill loved one, especially now, are you being looked after yourself?

LunaHeather · 09/02/2021 20:46

@Toorapid

They know he's very ill, they don't know he won't be back Sad
I have nothing to offer but virtual hugs Bear
Petronius16 · 09/02/2021 20:48

Pass code is now six digits, an Admin code.

Doubtful his password is six, as over eight is required now.

Lollyneenah · 09/02/2021 20:48

Buy him a pay and go phone and put all his contacts in, drop it off at the ward/reception.
So sorry you're going through this OP

prettyindarkblack · 09/02/2021 20:49

iPhone's ask for a 6 digit PIN for Apple ID if there's been an update or multiple incorrect attempts. This is sent to another device registered and you type it on the iPhone. It is randomly generated by Apple. It prevents hackers when people steal devices.

LIZS · 09/02/2021 20:49

@Toorapid

They know he's very ill, they don't know he won't be back Sad
Do they really need to know now though. Depending on how the situation resolves he may yet want to do something even very pt to handover. Is he officially on sick leave , can you get sick-notes from hospital to forward every few weeks to buy time?
Lollyneenah · 09/02/2021 20:50

If you get the same model as his- o2 you can normally get next day delivery and get it to him.
If it's same model he may be able to navigate it better x

Spongebobsquarefringe · 09/02/2021 20:50

Firstly hugs and get a cuppa/vodka/wine

Sometimes the code is a verification code it texts your mobile if it thinks you’re being compromised or password is reset, so it knows you’ve got the handset and not someone remotely. Also could be the passcode.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 20:50

ATM, it's hardly worth ringing him anyway, he can't hold any sort of conversation, but I feel I need to keep trying, which is why the long recorded message, that you're paying for, on the bed phone is so annoying. Occasionally I catch him in a slightly more lucid moment.

DC haven't spoken to their dad for a week (nothing to do with the phone issue) and none of us have seen him for a month.

What I do know is I don't have any more emotional energy for this.

OP posts:
addicted2spaniels · 09/02/2021 20:50

I'd go to Argos or Amazon and buy the simplest phone that you can, and put £10 credit on it. Then just put your number in it, nothing else, and hopefully the staff can help him call you/answer it.

Sorry you're having to deal with all this Flowers

prettyindarkblack · 09/02/2021 20:50

Also, get a cheap Nokia with no code and a giff gaff sim. You control the giff gaff account. So you can see when it needs topping up.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 20:53

Work is really the least of our worries. They've been really good, keeping in touch with him which they won't be able to do now and paying him, despite his official sick pay entitlement being long gone.

He didn't want to tell them it's terminal because he thought they'd be left with no choice but to terminate his employment once they know he wont be back. It doesn't really matter, we know it's coming, but he wanted to feel he was earning for as long as possible.

OP posts:
TicTac80 · 09/02/2021 21:03

I can’t comment about other trusts, but where I work, there are no bedside phones (I wish there were!). Patients use their own mobile phones. There is free public WiFi though (which we tell patients about and show them how to set it up).

In the hospital I trained at, there were beside phones for each patients, but you had to pay for the phone calls and there weren’t any free calls (so it might be that there are no free calls on your husband’s bedside phone). If there were free calls, it would be something we’d have told patients and family about. so it could be that there may not be free calls where your husband is staying.

Re: helping patients to keep in contact. As nurses, we’d absolutely want to do all we can to facilitate this, however sometimes it is difficult (ie if we are massively short staffed and have many acutely ill patients to look after, then we must look to ensuring our patients are being cared for and that would have to take priority). I’m happy to spend time - when I am able to - helping people use phones/tablets (I’m quite savvy with technology), making sure their tech is charged up/set up etc. Talk to the staff and see what they say. I like to make sure each day that my patients have either been able to contact relatives (or that the ward has facilitated this for them if possible). I’m sure your husband’s nurses would be the same. X

Laiste · 09/02/2021 21:03

FlowersFlowersFlowers Toorapid.

Sending love and strength for you, your children and your dear husband x

Wibblewobble99 · 09/02/2021 21:05

Can you arrange to get them to put the phone in a Jiffy bag and you pick it up with his washing or something and unlock it at home before returning it to him?

HammerToFall · 09/02/2021 21:05

I'm a ward clerk. Try ringing them and ask if they can help him, I have done loads of things like this, setting up face time etc. X

LIZS · 09/02/2021 21:10

Dh had some fancy tv/internet/phone on his ward - the tv worked but the internet intermittently and phone not at all. Mobile reception was rubbish (although fine as soon as you set foot into the corridor - not much good for immobile patients).

Check what coverage is like before committing to a network but agree a basic payg sim only deal and handset will be fine. Maybe collect work laptop when you drop it off.

MaelyssQ · 09/02/2021 21:10

I was just going to suggest asking the ward clerk to help @HammerToFall. Ours works mornings only 9am - 12 noon, but she is always happy and willing to sort out phones for patients.

Sending you love and strength OP.

LadyCatStark · 09/02/2021 21:11

I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, but I don’t think it’s that the nurses don’t any to help, it’s that they can’t. Apple are a nightmare when you forget a passcode, it makes me feel stressed out just thinking about how I managed to sort mine out and I couldn’t tell you how I managed to do it in the end. Even the Apple Stores can’t always help. I don’t think you have any choice but to get a cheap phone or if you have a tablet at home that you could take him, that might work.

AIOR · 09/02/2021 21:11

Firstly I'm very sorry for what you are all going through.

If the unlock email is going to the emails on his work laptop is there any chance your DH could open a webpage on it and then you use remote assistance software to access the laptop and open his work emails? There are a few different ones but something like dualmon is quite simple to use if your DH (or the Macmillan nurse) is able to. You open the website, enter a code that you provide and then you would have remote control of his laptop. Maybe you could open his work emails and retrieve the reset code for the phone then? This would create a one time connection, it is also possible to set it up so you could connect to the laptop whenever it had an internet connection.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and think I can help.

Hairyfairy01 · 09/02/2021 21:20

Most wards will have access to a ward tablet at the moment to enable family to communicate over FaceTime or similar. I would call the ward whilst they are quiet (afternoons tend to be best) and explain the issue. Unfortunately if the Apple password doesn't work I don't think there is a lot the nursing staff can do. But they should be able to arrange some other way for you to communicate.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 21:22

Thank you everyone, again.

I'm going to step away and try and think of something else for a while before bed now.

Tomorrow, I will try again to see if someone (the ward clerk?) can help him use Messenger on his tablet, then I'll see about a new phone.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 09/02/2021 21:25

I agree he needs to take a break from work. Get a cheap phone till it's sorted.

WinstonmissesXmas · 09/02/2021 21:26

@Toorapid - the call charges might be refunded to a mobile. I had to call a relative in hospital multiple times over a few months last year. Vodafone sent me an email saying they were refunding the fees due to covid.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 21:27

@Viviennemary

I agree he needs to take a break from work. Get a cheap phone till it's sorted.
He isn't working. Its just that the work devices are the only ones he has because he's never needed any others.
OP posts: