To think a bit of joined-up thinking might save the NHS some money?

[yolofish]

DM is 87, has had very severe osteoporosis and osteoarthritis for the last 15 years. This year alone she has had 4 falls, 3 of them involving paramedic call outs and yesterday's one - see below.

We spent 8 hours yesterday in two separate A&E departments with a possible skull fracture (sent from 1st to 2nd for poss CT/xray etc).

Luckily, no skull fracture but very shaken up and bruised old lady.

At 10.30 last night as we were being discharged, the nurse said "oh, have you ever been referred to the Balance Clinic?" No we said, we've heard of it, is it a new initiative? No its not a new initiative, it's been going for many years, it's designed to help people with poor balance cope better - skills, learning to move better etc - and also provides things like hip protectors so that if you do fall you are less likely to fracture a hip.

Is it unreasonable to think that someone over the last 15 years - like the GP practice for example, or the Intermediate Care Team who she was under for 6 weeks following a fall in August this year and in previous years - should have know this service existed and pointed her towards it??

It could potentially have saved lots and lots of dosh.

caroldeckershair I'm sorry if I have offended you, but I speak from recent experience with two grandparents in their 90s. One died because a GP put symptoms of low sodium down to 'just old age'. By the time the real cause of the sudden delirium was discovered (in hospital, after my mother called an ambulance against the GP's advice), it was too late. He was never himself again and died in a nursing home. The other one suffered for years with a painful condition that should have had much more rigorous investigation and treatment, as I have recently found out as my DD has the same condition and, by contrast, is being thoroughly investigated to ensure the correct treatment is given.

We also had to fight to prevent both grandparents from being discharged too early, when they would have been unsafe at home alone, before a care package had been arranged. I dread to think what happens to elderly people who do not have relatives to advocate for them.

That said, I am not tarring all HCPs with the same brush (and I'm sorry if you are one of the good ones, and I have upset you). My grandparents also had some excellent care from some of the nurses and HCPs, who were very caring. But that again was a very mixed bag, depending on who was on shift.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/virgin-care-accused-giving-patients-9032188

From the review site re. the surgery in the article on the previous page.

"Virgin Care versus Church Lane Surgery
I am well aware of the problems within the NHS but since Virgin Care took over the running of what was St Lawrence Surgery / now Church Lane Surgery it is almost impossible to get an appointment.
Phones aren't answered and when they are the stressed staff are often short in their mannerism towards the patient who is invariably sick or they wouldn't be needed an appointment,

Lack of GPs and fully qualified staff is a major problem..

My next birthday will be my 80th, my husband is already 85 with multiple health problems. To be told by a receptionist, to "come down to the surgery at 8 am to book and appointment" is no help at all.
The surgery is 2 miles away from our home and it takes me til almost 9 am to get him up and dressed. Its impossible to be at the surgery that's why we all have phones these days!! If only they were answered.

All in all, Church Lane surgery is a lovely new building that is not being used to even half its full potential.

Virgin Care are NOT making anywhere near a good job of running it. Patients including myself are at our wits end.

Something needs to be done asap"