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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:
pumpkinbump · 09/02/2021 21:28

I don't know if this has been suggested, because I'm not able to read the full thread at the moment, but are you able to collect it outside from one of the nurses and take it to a shop to get it unlocked?

SwanShaped · 09/02/2021 21:28

God this is such a nightmare for you. And must be so worrying that he doesn’t understand how to get into his phone anymore. It’s such a change. Hope you haven’t taken any of the slightly snarky comments to heart.

Hairyfairy01 · 09/02/2021 21:29

What you need is a nice student nurse. They are more likely to have more time to spend with him. I really hope you get something sorted.

coconutty · 09/02/2021 21:32

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

muddiecuddles · 09/02/2021 21:40

I haven’t read any of your previous threads but I do look after very unwell patients in hospital.

I think that unlocking the phone is not where your focus should be. Can you request a medical social worker referral who will be able to help you navigate the practical financial and emotional issues of what you’re going through.

Although visiting is very restricted due to Covid the nhs guidelines are very clear re compassionate visiting for patients with terminal illnesses. You should be facilitated in ‘virtual visits’ at least.

Wishing you well

Arobase · 09/02/2021 21:52

@Toorapid

Yes it is the work email he needs to get into. I don't think they'll give me access.
Ask them to have a look at his emails and forward the one about the phone code to you.
pusskins06 · 09/02/2021 21:53

We had similar difficulties with communication when my mum was recently in hospital Incredibly frustrating as different handovers from different nurses each time we called, No portable phone and no ipad for patients. In the end we set up a skype account for mum on a tablet and dropped it to the ward It was still hit and miss as to whether ward staff could help her answer it but at least we had some contact I feel for you op. Such an awful time for you all and poor communication just adds to the stress

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 21:53

@GabsAlot

sorry op i know youve had a roughtime

theyre not being inhumane though there is a hpsital phone by his bed we all had to cope with that a few years ago even though it cost a fortune

Not when visiting was banned you didn't.
OP posts:
littlepattilou · 09/02/2021 21:59

@Toorapid I have PMd you.

starfishmummy · 09/02/2021 21:59

@Thebizz

When my iPhone keeps asking for my Apple ID, I just ignore it and carry on using it.

Not sure if that is helpful but phones do that when they want you to update settings etc but you can still use it.

Could that possibly be the case for your husband?

Or it could be that it has done an automatic up date and he needs his ID details to get back in. AMHIK.
callmeadoctor · 09/02/2021 21:59

Just wanted to say we are thinking of you OP XX

ATowelAndAPotato · 09/02/2021 22:02

I know this is off-topic, but please do consider letting his work know about his diagnosis. They sound like a reasonable company if they have continued his sick pay after his entitlement has ended; and there may be other support from them he/you are entitled to.
Flowers for you

SeaToSki · 09/02/2021 22:02

I'm so sorry OP, not what you need on top of everything else.

Do you know the passwords for all his other online stuff? If he continues to go downhill, you might need to access online banking or pay the electric bill and if that is all saved on his computer it will be a PITA to access.

Most importantly does he have family photos and videos saved to his icloud account that you might want to get to in the fullness of time. Apple and Facebook etc are notorious for not letting next of kin access to digital stuff when the original owner has passed.

SecretSnowySquirrel · 09/02/2021 22:07

Since covid most hospitals have had ipads / tablets donated to help families communicate with patients. I don't know who organises it at your hospital but there will be someone. Try googling "hospital ipads help for patients at xx hospital". You should be able to speak to someone who's job it is to facilitate communication, so not a HCP. I doubt they will get his phone going but they may collect it and hand it back to you.

Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 22:11

@SeaToSki

I'm so sorry OP, not what you need on top of everything else.

Do you know the passwords for all his other online stuff? If he continues to go downhill, you might need to access online banking or pay the electric bill and if that is all saved on his computer it will be a PITA to access.

Most importantly does he have family photos and videos saved to his icloud account that you might want to get to in the fullness of time. Apple and Facebook etc are notorious for not letting next of kin access to digital stuff when the original owner has passed.

No I haven't got anything. I had asked him to do a list for me, but then his mind went before he did it.
OP posts:
Petronius16 · 09/02/2021 22:16

iforgot.apple.com gives a choice of using another iPad or iPhone.

We've just been through this so do feel for you, and neither of us is in hospital. Apple support on the phone remain incredibly calm.

TaighNamGastaOrt · 09/02/2021 22:26

no advice I'm afraid, just best wishes to you and your family.
This is the last thing you need.

peridito · 09/02/2021 22:27

I haven’t read any of your previous threads but I do look after very unwell patients in hospital.

I think that unlocking the phone is not where your focus should be. Can you request a medical social worker referral who will be able to help you navigate the practical financial and emotional issues of what you’re going through.

Although visiting is very restricted due to Covid the nhs guidelines are very clear re compassionate visiting for patients with terminal illnesses. You should be facilitated in ‘virtual visits’ at least.
^^^ - this ,as muddlecuddles posted

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/02/2021 22:32

So sorry for what you are going through. Agree with pp that a cheap pay as you go phone sounds like a good idea.

The six digit code is most likely a security measure when you sign in to the Apple account on a different device. If I sign into my personal email on my work laptop I get a code text to my iPhone and iPad which I need to enter to confirm it’s legit. I think the default PIN is four digits.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/02/2021 22:42

Could you pop up to the ward and ask one if the staff to get his phone for you. They should be able to do that.

Lemonsyellow · 09/02/2021 22:53

@Toddlerteaplease

Could you pop up to the ward and ask one if the staff to get his phone for you. They should be able to do that.
No one can pop up to any wards these days. You can’t get past the front door of a hospital unless you are a patient and you show confirmation of your appointment.
Original poster
Toorapid · 09/02/2021 22:54

No you can't "pop up" to the ward, but I don't think me having the phone would help, I won't be able to get in either.

I have realised during the course of the evening that this much more about not being able to see him than the phone. Because of the way he is now, a phone doesn't help much anyway. When we could all have a proper conversation with him, not being able to see him was horrible but manageable. Now we've got nothing, even if I do get the phone issue sorted.

OP posts:
Bornlazy · 09/02/2021 22:55

OP if I were you I would push to be allowed to visit in person. I know it's easier said than done but your dh is terminally ill and very confused if that doesn't constitute the need for a visit what would?

It's a horrific time for relatives not being allowed to visit their loved ones and you have my full sympathies Flowers

As for the phone - could it just simply be asking for his passcode and if so could that be something simple like his date of birth?

Norah8 · 09/02/2021 23:01

I work in hospital wards and I don't understand why they aren't letting you in.
There are specific cases where it's allowed and your situation unquestionably fulfills the criteria.
Hope you can get things to be a bit easier.

Brenna24 · 09/02/2021 23:09

I don't have the first clue about iPhones but I wanted to give you a hug. It all sounds so hard for you.