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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go into the hospital and demand they sort this out now?

94 replies

BandOMothers · 21/12/2011 17:40

DH went into hospital at midnight on Sunday having broken his hip in a fall...he is still lyng there now and has repeatedly been bumped off the list for surgery.

This is his 4th night now and he is in pain...not only his hip but his back and neck....he's been lying still for 3 days and 3 nights....in the same position. I have just accepted it every time they had to take him off the list as I know they are stretched and have smetimes to decide another case is more desperate...but in my opinion after three days HE is more important.

Tomorrow is day 4....and if they dont garantee that he is donein the morning I and he are tempted to remove him and have him wait at home...he is very down...and I want to go to the to the press too. WHat can do? I feel so devestated.

OP posts:
PeaceofCakeAndGoodWineToAllMN · 22/12/2011 18:17

That's really, really great news. I hope he's home with you as soon as possible and you both have a lovely Christmas Smile

MidnightinMoscow · 22/12/2011 19:09

Sadly though, if you make a complaint and even if you address it to the chief exec, I can promise you 100% it'll be that helpful Ward Sister that will have to take the time to respond to it.

Original poster
BandOMothers · 22/12/2011 20:00

I know Midnight but if he does not respond personally I will pull out ALL the stops...I know a number of quite clouty people and national press journalists ...and I'll bandy names and threats and insist he responds.....I want to make sure the Sister is recognised for her service and I want an explanation of why this happened. If he can give me an explanation and an assurance that something is done to prevent this happening to someone who is NOT as strong and fit as DH then I will be happy.

OP posts:
MidnightinMoscow · 22/12/2011 20:12

Just to let you know though, that the response you get will be written as is from the chief exec. What happens is that the ward sister will be asked to respond and then her letter will be paraphases to make it look as if the Chief exec wrote it.

Crap I know, but true.

Original poster
BandOMothers · 22/12/2011 20:32

Then I'll tell him I want to see him.

OP posts:
catsareevil · 23/12/2011 07:56

It is completely routine for complaints letters to be dealt with in that way, they filter down to the team who looked after the patient, and then back up again. Even if you ask to see the Chief Executive you may not be able to, but hopefully the letter that you get answering your complaint will give you an idea in how best to take things forward. The reply that you get will also have details of how to proceed if you are unhappy with the response from the hospital.

MidnightinMoscow · 23/12/2011 09:57

Yes, its just a shame that the person who has been the most helpful will be the one who'll end up having to respond to the complaint - more work for her.

I am not for a second saying that, that is a reason to not complain, but rather an example why the system is as it is. Its the wrong people having to take the flack for the organisations short comings.

Original poster
BandOMothers · 23/12/2011 10:00

I'm not the sort to let things lie...I'm very determined and I WILL get to see the CE....or at the very least a telephone converation with him...I'll insist.I have a record of being an utter pain until I get what I want. DH is seeing a physiotherapist today...his surgeon was wonderful and so were all the nurses. Poor things. Daily I saw them talking to upset relatives....and always being nice. I wish I had enough money to send them a really nice present. Its not on for me only to send one to the Sister is it?

OP posts:
featherbag · 23/12/2011 10:10

Well done for getting results, it's totally unacceptable that your DH had to wait so long and I'd be demanding answers from as high up as possible too if I were you!

If you want to send an inexpensive present that 99% of the nurses will really appreciate, send in a big jar of quality instant coffee - on every ward I've worked the coffee has been utter shit, nasty powdered rubbish! Or some bottles of alcohol-free bucks fizz for their Christmas Day buffet.

MidnightinMoscow · 23/12/2011 10:12

No, I am sure it will be very well received although in theory nursing staff are not allowed to accept gifts.

I can happily say though that a big tin of chocs and someone making the effort to come back to the ward to bring them will be well received by everyone on the ward.

PS: Don't get celebrations though - within an hour it'll be just the bounty ones left. Trust me - I am an expert on these matters. Grin

Glad to hear your DH is on the mend.

MidnightinMoscow · 23/12/2011 10:13

X-posts - yes coffee or nice tea bags would be a lovely gift.

catsareevil · 23/12/2011 10:35

Another thing that staff would appreciate is if you wrote the helpful ones a letter, thanking them for their efforts. Very little cost, but very appreciated.

WidowWadman · 23/12/2011 10:48

Recently a consultant resigned from Barts & the London because of this

Is this a problem which is more prevalent in trauma surgery, or does it happen in other disciplines as much?

danceswithyarn · 23/12/2011 16:06

WW it probably is more frequent for us in T&O because there's so much variability in terms of accident frequency. It happens in any surgical specialty that takes emergencies though, as you can never predict volume that accurately. Of course if there was a bit more wiggle room in the system then it wouldn't come to the extremes so much, but no-one's going to fund a theatre (including nursing, ODP, surgical and anaesthetic staff as well as the room) that's mainly left fallow waiting for the proverbial to hit the fan.

Original poster
BandOMothers · 23/12/2011 16:51

The consultant has asked DH to make an official complaint..he says it will help the staff. He's on his way home now as my brother has picked him up, he has gone up stairs and on his crutches...the physio team were great...I will help him compalin after Christmas. Thanks for so much help everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
BandOMothers · 23/12/2011 16:55

The day before yesterday I was told there was "no list at all"...so on Wednesday...why would that be do you think?

OP posts:
pantomimecow · 23/12/2011 18:17

Well done for fighting his corner! It is very heartening to hear a story of spousal support.the last few threads I have read were just the opposite!

danceswithyarn · 23/12/2011 22:14

Could be any number of things.

Clinical governance/theatre audit session
Air-conditioning/electrical servicing in theatres
Problem with sterile services requiring equipment to be out of the department
Sickness on the anaesthetic or surgical staff side (or nursing-staffing problem caused by staff attending overnight for a life-or-limb emergency)
Depending on the size of the hospital there might not even be a dedicated list for trauma; it may be shared with general surgical cases.

frumpet · 23/12/2011 23:48

Go in and kick up the biggest fuss imaginable . In the NHS those who complain the loudest get the best treatment (eventually).

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