What happens if I just walk out of hospital?

[takeonabrew]

I have a procedure I have been waiting for months to have.

The pre assessment nurse was insisting that I must have someone to collect me (because of the sedation). They need to collect me from discharge lounge and sign me out.

What happens if I just walk out (to my taxi)

I don't have a support network yet. Moved here not too long ago. Various reasons. Anyway, my H cannot drive to get me at that time as he can't drive right now. His epilepsy has come back

Obviously I won't drive myself. But what happens if I just walk out and get into the taxi? Will they call the police or report me for safeguarding concerns?

Taxi will be ££££ so no my H cannot come and collect me inside. He will need to be home for our disabled DC who cannot be taken out without my car etc

I just don't know what else to do. I am desperate to have this done

I have had this type of sedation before (NOT GA), for something else. I felt a bit sluggish and woozy for a while but that was it so I feel confident to just get a taxi, who will drive me to my door where my H will greet me and stay with me for the 24 hours they've asked

Can the taxi driver not be the person who comes inside and collects you? What do other people who don't have someone to collect them in this situation normally do? What did the nurse suggest?

I would go for the op and afterwards say hubby can’t make it due to work crisis. Then get taxi

Do you know any school mums or neighbours? I.would collect anyone in your circumstances

But her DH can't current drive for an actual medical reason, why would she need to lie about this?

Is the taxi company happy to take responsibility for someone who has had an anaesthetic and hasn't followed medical advice.

I was going to do this. But actually just go with 'he's not answering his phone and car won't start' or something like that

But the medical advice seems to mainly be around someone staying with you for 24 hours

Which will be happening - first in a 15 minute taxi journey. The second when I am at home for 24 hours or so with H there

Tell them h will pick you up. Have the operation. Go to discharge lounge, then decide what to do. See if you feel alright to call taxi.

Some hospitals will discharge you if a booked taxi is taking you home and someone will be there. My partner did this recently.

I’m a nurse. They won’t do anything. You may as well just explain the situation rather than get tangled in a lie. In your situation I’d organise hospital own transport for you. Best of luck with your procedure.

Why would you need to make an excuse for your DH when 'he can't drive because he has epilepsy and a disabled DC at home' is the perfectly reasonable truth?

Do that, saves the hassle of you having to argue with them. Unfortunately lots of people have no support and still need operations/sedation.

They can't stop you.
If you're just having midazolam, you'll be fine.
Just wait till you've had the tea and biscuits afterwards, then go.

You can sign a self discharge form to say you take responsibility for going against medical advice and then leave. The taxi driver is not going to be responsible for looking after you if you feel unwell on the way home.

I've left and got a taxi before, you'll be fine. Lots of people don't have family or friends available when they are discharged.

Be honest and see if they can arrange hospital transport for you as above.

Totally agree that I would say somebody is going to pick you up and then after it’s done just say they can’t make it and leave.

Yes, think this will just be easier. Thank you

Terrible advice. Why would there be an argument?!

Just explain the situation and then they'll advise you. You won't be the first one to not have someone collect you. They might even have some sort of service that drops you home or they'll ask you stay for a bit longer to monitor you and then leaving in your own is fine. There will definitely be other options. You just need to use your voice and tell them the situation.

I would just wing it. Say someone will pick you up, have the procedure, then say your lift has fallen through and you'll be getting a taxi. Not much they can do about it.

So I am a nurse and we have this policy in our unit too.
I've had many patients just walk out after sedation and that's that. I just document it, we can only advise. You won't be able to sign a self discharge if you've had sedation. They won't hold you there against your will but if you tell them before your op you can't get collected then they'll probably reschedule.
Deffo won't be flagged up as anything safeguarding.

Are you the type to think that telling someone no is a confrontation.

@TraitorsGate up to the taxi drivers to decide who they do or don't take accept. Absolutely no obligation on OP to mention health condition or what she has been in for.

Do you think they seriously give a shit and even ask those sort of questions to anyone 😂

It’s so frustrating. I live a 4 minute walk from somewhere that I have regular procedures and I KNOW I wake up fine from the sedation. I don’t need someone to take me home. Last time my friend just met me in the lobby (there was a lot of agitation I didn’t want a wheelchair but I had a meeting to get to 😂) and then we had a chat and I walked home. at least if I had felt ordinary they would have been there to drive me (but so would Uber)
I would be reluctant beforehand apart from “is there hospital transport in case I can’t find anyone?” but then if you say you have no one would they cancel the procedure? So just give them his or someone else’s name, they phone him, he says I can’t get there, you go “thanks I am good bye”
But yes I am conflict averse