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Original poster

Dad too unwell to get to hospital appointment

115 replies

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 22/06/2022 21:47

Wasn't sure where to post this.

Basically my Dad is very very unwell and has finally got a hospital appointment Friday to have some tests done (we aren't expecting good news) but he can't get out of bed to get there. He is having awful diarrhoea most days and sleeps for many hours yet the GP has told my Mum today that if he doesn't get there then his appointment will be cancelled and he will be put back to GP care.

My parents GP has been absolutely awful through all of this and he should have been referred months ago so I'm not surprised she isn't being helpful now.

Does anyone have any ideas what we can do? If he still can't get out of bed tomorrow would it be unreasonable to ring an ambulance (we have done this before but they have refused to take him in as the GP was dealing with it)? Would the hospital be more helpful if we call them?

I think the Gp would be happy to leave him at home to just deteriorate.

OP posts:

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 22/06/2022 21:53

What do you mean by unwell? And what is the test? The hospital should arrange transport to his test if he is so frail he can’t get there any other way but they do need notice for this. 999 won’t send an emergency ambulance to take him to a test. Do you expect him to improve enough to be able to get there himself anytime soon? Either way call the hospital first thing tomorrow to discuss what can be done.

Sirzy · 22/06/2022 21:56

Phone the hospital department and ask them for advice.

dont call an ambulance.

Musicalmaestro · 22/06/2022 21:58

Yes ring the hospital to ask about hospital transport. Explain his difficulties so an appropriate vehicle can be sent eg wheelchair accessible.

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Original poster

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 22/06/2022 22:03

@LadyGardenersQuestionTime He has been unwell for quite a while, lost about 3 stone in weight, constant diarrhoea but not eating, sleeping most of the day and having trouble swallowing. The GP has been absolutely awful and everything has been done over the phone. He is having a CT scan.

I don't expect him to improve but my Mum keeps saying maybe he will feel better next week, this has been going on since Christmas.

I'll phone the hospital first thing tomorrow.

OP posts:

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 22/06/2022 22:05

You could t guarantee an ambulance would actually get you there on time, some are taking hours to arrive to emergency calls.

I know it would be unpleasant for everyone but could he really not manage to get 8n to your car and be driven there. You could probably go in ahead leaving him in the car and find a wheelchair to transport him around the hospital.

If you called Red Cross/mobility stores first thing you might even be able to hire a wheelchair and pick it up straight away and use that to get him from the house to the car and the car through the hospital.

It seems like getting him to the hospital is really important as he needs to see the consultant and once he's there and sen if he needs to be admitted then that can happen.

BeautifulWar · 22/06/2022 22:09

You need patient transport services - definitely call the relevant hospital department. It sounds crucial your dad gets to his apt.

Lostlostlost3 · 22/06/2022 22:11

Practically speaking- is he able to walk to a car, can he stand, can he sit? Would he need lifting from the bed, downstairs, into a vehicle?

Would your mum or you be driving him?

Could he wear incontinence pants for the journey?

This sounds so difficult for you, I hope you get sorted and a good outcome for your dad.

janesmithsdog · 22/06/2022 22:16

I’d beg, borrow or buy a wheelchair (Argos used to do them) and buy a load of incontinence pants first thing when the pharmacy opens. Line the car seat with those potty training mattress protectors or just towels. It won’t be great but honestly, don’t run the risk of him missing this.

Therewere5inthebed · 22/06/2022 22:16

As others have said call the department where he’s expected to be. They will be able to advise the best course of action.

it sounds like this is an unbelievably tough time for you so please remember to take some time to make sure that you are ok.

llamadramapolli · 22/06/2022 22:19

Oh your poor dad. You sound like a lovely, caring daughter. There should be hospital transport but failing that I would do what pp has suggested - get a wheelchair, line your car with pads and get heavy duty incontinence pads for dad and plenty of wipes and changes of clothes. Bless him, I know it's unpleasant but he must be seen one way or the other. Wishing him well

Kezzie200 · 22/06/2022 22:29

Please get him there.

You don't want him back under GP only for this, he needs a diagnosis and I doubt a CT scanner could get to a house, so he needs to get to it.

Once they have a diagnosis then he can start treatment, or have surgery, or targeted medication and care.

You sound fab and this is going to be really, really hard for you. But find a way to make it happen and then others will step in to help.

Katkinsgreyy · 22/06/2022 22:35

I had a patient who was quite ill and the hospital transport refused to take the patient. Also the wait times can be around 2 hours for hospital transport. So bare that in mind.

I think the best thing is to contact the department at the hospital, explain the situation to them. They can advise you best (I work in diagnostic imaging)

Floralnomad · 22/06/2022 22:44

Hospital transport took my mum for a ct and appointment and she was completely bed bound but whether that can be organised tomorrow is another matter .

CharlotteFlax · 22/06/2022 22:47

It sounds to me like you're not asking for an ambulance to take him to the appointment on Friday but an ambulance to take him to hospital tomorrow because he's so unwell he can't get out of bed.

The CT scan on Friday is a different matter and can be sorted separately if needs be.

It does sound like your dad needs to be seen in person for his current acute symptoms and you must advocate for him, so ring the GP in the morning explain how he's now so unwell he can't get out of bed and that you would like him to be assessed in A&E - the GP should be able to contact the specialist they think is best and/or write a letter and give you his recent notes to take with you.

Only call an ambulance if you truly believe it's an emergency situation or if you truly can't get him to A&E yourselves.

I hope you get to the bottom of all this very soon - good luck!

Original poster

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 23/06/2022 12:21

Thank you so much everyone, I definitely wasn't thinking of calling an ambulance to take him to the appointment! I was just wondering if the fact he is too unwell to even get out of bed would warrant an ambulance.

Anyway I've spoken to the hospital this morning who said that patient transport won't take him if he is really unwell 🤷‍♀️ and I spoke to the GP who said exactly what she said yesterday (he just has to get there).

Anyway my husband has managed to get the day off of work so we are just leaving to drive over there (they are 2 hours away) armed with puppy training pads for the car seat and my Mum has already got him incontinence pants then we will get him into the car, using next doors wheelchair! He absolutely has to go to this appointment so we will get him there.

Is it really bad to hope that they take one look at him and admit him? My poor Mum is really struggling (they are 74 and 77).

Thanks for the great ideas re the pads for the car and the pants, not sure why I didn't think of that.

OP posts:

Original poster

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 23/06/2022 12:22

I realised that I said the appointment was Friday, I've been a day ahead all week this week! Appointment is at 4.10pm today.

OP posts:

adriftabroad · 23/06/2022 12:33

Good luck OP.
In Spain they would have sent an ambulance, no question.
Your poor Dad, I really think and hope they admit him today as he must need a drip etc for fluids/nutrients.

DDivaStar · 23/06/2022 12:47

This sounds awfully stressful for you all but good luck and hopefully this will give you some answers.

Goingforarun · 23/06/2022 12:48

That’s magnificent - Sounds like you will get him there.

ApolloandDaphne · 23/06/2022 12:50

I am glad you will get him to his appointment. Hopefully you will get some answers today.

BeautifulWar · 23/06/2022 12:54

Is it really bad to hope that they take one look at him and admit him? My poor Mum is really struggling (they are 74 and 77).

Of course not! He sounds really unwell and it's hugely stressful for all of you. Good luck.

Somethingneedstochange · 23/06/2022 12:55

Patient transport will have a wheelchair suitable to take him downstairs safely. Had to do this with my daughter to get her to the ambulance. It's completely safe they're strapped in they have to do it all the time. Especially with elderly patients.

Em308 · 23/06/2022 12:59

Would it be an idea to give him Imodium as a short term solution? X

spanishsummers · 23/06/2022 13:02

Take him in a taxi if necessary and if he is that I'll they may admit him.

Carrotzen · 23/06/2022 13:03

Is it just an appointment for a CT scan? CT won't admit him, they may advise him to go to ED if he's really unwell.

To be honest if he really is that unwell it would be better to take him to ED anyway, he doesn't sound well. Is there an a&e closer than 2 hrs? Is he being managed by a specialist team or is it the GP who has requested the scan

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