Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Can they prevent me leaving?

169 replies

LaurieFairyCake · 02/03/2024 10:18

I have to have a general anaesthetic and then be discharged the same day.

My partner can't come and get me.

Can I discharge myself. The nurse said 'they wouldn't let me leave unless I was with someone'

Anyone know?

OP posts:
NorthernPoppetPrincess · 02/03/2024 10:21

You can probably self discharge / discharge against medical advice, but then the onus will lay with you should anything happen to you.

SgtJuneAckland · 02/03/2024 10:22

Have you had a general anaesthetic before? I felt awful after mine recently there's no way I would've been safe to get myself home and I was only under for an hour

Dotdashdottinghell · 02/03/2024 11:00

How will you get home safely if you discharge against advice?

SheepAndSword · 02/03/2024 11:03

Can the hospital provide transport?

JanglyBeads · 02/03/2024 11:08

Can't someone else come and take you home, maybe stay with you til partner gets back?

lunar1 · 02/03/2024 11:08

You would have to leave against medical advice, and if you did, your car insurance would be invalid if you tried to drive.

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/03/2024 11:09

Why? It would be very unwise.

BashfulClam · 02/03/2024 11:09

Can you arrange a taxi/uber to take you back?

ThreeRingCircus · 02/03/2024 11:11

I think it would be a really bad idea. I felt dreadful after having general anaesthetic for a relatively simple day surgery.

You definitely couldn't drive. If nobody can come and get you then I would strongly advise you get a taxi.

MollyButton · 02/03/2024 11:13

When I was going to have an op they said they would allow me to go in a taxi home as long as there was someone there to monitor me for the next 24hours. But this was only because my daughter (an adult) has anxiety issues and can't drive.

twingiraffes · 02/03/2024 11:14

There is an extremely good reason why you are supposed to have someone with you when you go home after a general anaesthetic. They don't just say these things for the fun of it.

Mexicola · 02/03/2024 11:14

No, you can only be detained if you meet the criteria to be detained under the mental health act, which you don’t!

They said it this way as they have a duty of care but ultimately it’s up you.

bfsham · 02/03/2024 11:15

Your DP will have to collect you later in the day, after work, but you'll have to be escorted home with an adult.

AlltheFs · 02/03/2024 11:16

Do you honestly not know a single other soul in the world that could come?

MolkosTeenageAngst · 02/03/2024 11:16

If your partner can’t pick you up can’t you wait in hospital either until somebody can pick you up or until you are able to be discharged alone? There must be plans in place at the hospital for people with no next of kin? I don’t have a partner or family nearby so in the same situation wouldn’t have the option of being picked up.

Meadowfinch · 02/03/2024 11:19

After a general anaesthetic you'll feel terrible. Your car insurance will be invalid. Why would you do that to yourself?

Taxi at the very least but better to have a friend collect you. You shouldn't be alone for 24 hours in case you vomit in your sleep and choke.
Honestly OP, you'll feel awful.

amylou8 · 02/03/2024 11:20

Are you planning on driving? If you discharged against medical advice then had an accident I suspect you'd invalidate your insurance.
If you're not fit to leave alone, and have no one to collect you, then wouldn't the obvious answer would be to stay in hospital until either your husband can get there or you are fit to leave alone??

RosesAndHellebores · 02/03/2024 11:24

It's an example of poor communication. The nurse should have explained the reasons why you can't leave and have then allowed you to make your own judgement providing you have capacity to do so.

CharSiu · 02/03/2024 11:26

Do not do this.

You need someone to get you.

What can’t he come?

People react very differently after having general anaesthetics. I worked in a day surgical unit and have seen the after affect's on hundreds of patients.

On a personal level I react really badly to a GA and feel very ill for a few days. I had quite a few as a child. So the last time I had a minor procedure I insisted on a local, it was possible with the procedure but all the nurses were OMG you are so brave.

wurtle · 02/03/2024 11:28

I am having day surgery in future and planning to walk home alone. I live twenty minutes walk from hospital.

YellowMellowJelly · 02/03/2024 11:29

Don't be so ridiculous. Why would you go against sound medical advice. They don't just say this for the fun of it.

There must be someone else who can collect you. Don't have the provide rather than discharge yourself against medical advice.

Augustus40 · 02/03/2024 11:40

I would only have one person who could collect me. We aren't all falling over family and helpful friends. If ever my ds could not help I would just have to cope.

WestendGrrls · 02/03/2024 11:42

Yeah course you can, it's not a prison. They might ask you to sign something to say you are going against medical advice. You can choose to sign or not sign. They can't keep you either way.

Zanatdy · 02/03/2024 11:51

I’ve had a lot of GA’s as part of a health condition and I was able to get home after them (we had to go on the tube / train). I had someone with me but didn’t need it. Obviously it depends what you’ve had done too, a proper surgery then no, but an endoscopy etc yes. Sedation, no, I’d have never got home alone

IncompleteSenten · 02/03/2024 11:54

They can't tie you down and the only way to legally prevent you would be to have you sectioned which simply won't happen.

When they say won't let you, it's meant to discourage you and make you think they have the power to make that decision.

The reality is you can leave when you like. You may be asked to sign something that confirms you are leaving against medical advice

What they can do is cancel your surgery.