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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be appalled at this hospital's treatment of FIL?

30 replies

thisisdisgraceful · 22/02/2012 09:36

NC'd because this is quite detailed and could out me, but I'm a MN regular.

FIL started having unexplained seizures towards the end of last week and was taken to hospital. They've done an X-ray and an MRI, both of which were inconclusive. Yesterday DP and I learned that they've sent him home from the hospital, untreated and without a diagnosis or any follow-up treatment plan because the neurologist is on holiday.

They've given MIL a number to ring, to make her own appointment with the neurologist. She's rung it hundreds of times and no-one ever picks up.

Meanwhile they've given him anti-convulsives suitable for treating epilepsy, despite not being diagnosed with epilepsy. DP has seen epileptic fits, and seen his dad's seizures, and says they don't look anything alike - his dad's seizures look more like a stroke (which he's also seen). FIL is still having seizures - sometimes several a day - at home, where there's only MIL to care for him (she's recovering from an operation herself). DP is desperately worried that without oxygen or proper trained care on hand he could end up oxygen-deprived, have a heart attack, fall down the stairs or something. Basically that they've just abandoned him and these seizures could finish him off. Sad

It's like they've just washed their hands of him and sent him home to die. He's 65. AIBU to be shocked and appalled and furious?

Please if anyone has experience of getting proper care from the NHS, we'd welcome your advice.

OP posts:
Abra1d · 22/02/2012 17:12

Oh rubbish about it being a class thing.

My 'middle class' 81-year old father sent eight hours waiting for an xray on Monday night. He was sitting in a cubicle with bins overflowing with dirty dressings. And syringes. He returned home at 1.30am.

The NHS doesn't treat ELDERLY people well, period.

And it's a reason why I have no sympathy at all with all the 'We must save the NHS' stuff. The NHS is broken.

BookFairy · 22/02/2012 17:23

Several Neurologists from Walton Centre do clinics at Renacres Hospital (private hosp nr Southport), including my v lovely neurologist. If you are desperate/can afford your FIL would be seen v quickly there (I went their 8yrs ago as the nhs emergency waiting list was 17 weeks). PM if you want more info about Walton etc as I'm still out patient there.

thisisdisgraceful · 24/02/2012 11:04

Quick update: DP is back from Merseyside and tells me that after a bit of shouting and letter-writing and maybe a few very slight threats about contacting the Daily Mail his dad now has an appointment at the Walton this coming Monday. Various family members will be about over the weekend to help keep an eye on him so MIL can get a bit of rest.

Obviously he's not out of the woods yet but at least he's no longer in danger of just falling out of the system altogether.

Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU from me, DP and DP's family to everyone who contributed advice and suggestions on this thread - it made all the difference for DP in working out how to push for better care and has been a massive help.

OP posts:
toobreathless · 24/02/2012 15:42

So very pleased to hear this. Well done to you & your DP for managing to navigate the system.

The Walton really is absolutely excellent.

I hope all goes well on Monday.

BookFairy · 24/02/2012 18:17

That's great news OP. Walton really is a fantastic hosp. All the best :)

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