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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU the hospital need to find a new room for DD

28 replies

Alwaysbekind2014 · 21/11/2018 08:48

So we are currently in hospital with DD4 the hospital know her extremely well as in she was in for 2 years straight and regular admissions since for various health needs including heart failure, intestinal failure, chronic lung disease.
We are currently in as she was very poorly 3 weeks ago with sepsis, we came back in 2 days who wirh fever, low bloods due to a viral infection ( really active cough etc )
She is due to go theatre for an important line insertion.
Anyway she is known as the child who has no temp regulation and often requires a hair hugger.
So the temperature has really dropped outside and we are in the cubicle that is know for its draft ! Basically for some reason the windows aren’t right and in the middle between the two windows connecting air comes through in the room.
It’s basically freezing !
Everyone who has entered has been like its soo cold in here.

Anyway I spoke to nurse in charge as ward manager isn’t here.
DD has been up vomiting and cold since 5.30 am and can not sleep.
They basically said they keep reporting it but there’s nothing they can do!
I think daughter will be safer and warmer at home !
Is there a temp by law that rooms have to meet in hospitals or work places ??

OP posts:
llangennith · 21/11/2018 08:51

Phone switchboard and ask who you should speak to to complain about this. Hope your DD is ok.

VictoriaBun · 21/11/2018 08:53

Ask for extra blankets or ask if a blanket could be out over the window.

SleepingStandingUp · 21/11/2018 08:54

Would PALS help?
Is there an empty bed that you can see?
Can she go on ward or does she need to be isolated?
Big hugs for you, its crap and yes she needs to move

CherryPavlova · 21/11/2018 08:55

Ask for a nursery heater.

SD1978 · 21/11/2018 08:56

Can you get a bear hugger brought in now? If there is no where to move her. There is t much they can do- but you can request that so she doesn't get cold. Maybe wait until morning and see about a room reallocation when other kids are discharged?

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 21/11/2018 08:57

I don't think there is a law but in my trust they aim for ward areas to be around 23°.

I would ring the switchboard and ask who to complain to and maybe ask for the estates team. We had a problem with a draught in one Of our rooms and we literally had the estates team out measuring the temperature everyday for over a month before anything was done.

Until then I recomend asking for more blankets and keep pressing for a room change.

MakeMineALarge1 · 21/11/2018 08:57

Ask to speak to the matron. Failing that ask for the name of the Chief Exec.

NWQM · 21/11/2018 09:04

If the wards directorate (might call them business managers) isn't in ask for the duty manager to be paged. Say you believe that they are neglecting her most basic needs - assuming she is the one actually cold - and that you expect them to safeguard that. You want it fixed before she comes back from theatre or a room change. If it's you - and you shouldn't be either don't get me wrong - then talk about their support for parents. If needs be ask to speak to their consultant. Say you are concerned about the operation going ahead and query whether it can - they will not want a cancelled on the day open against their record. Threaten to withdraw consent on the basis that you do not believe that they can safely do the op as they can't provide post operative care appropriately.

NWQM · 21/11/2018 09:07

P.s if they refuse to get the local person to speak to then I wouldn't worry about estates etc. All complaints technically go to the Trusts Chief Executive. Ring their office. If you private message me which hospital you are in I'll happily see if I can look at their structure and get you the right job titles.

And obviously you don't have to totally mean that you will withdraw consent - you'd just me making it tricky with their theatre schedules by wanting reassurance before the op.

BollocksToBrexit · 21/11/2018 09:14

Minimum temperature for a hospital ward is 18 C.

researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00982/SN00982.pdf

Original poster
Alwaysbekind2014 · 21/11/2018 09:16

Yes our egg is currently reading 12 which is warmer than it was last night !

OP posts:
Original poster
Alwaysbekind2014 · 21/11/2018 09:16

Sorry that was a typo 14 the egg is reading

OP posts:
Danglingmod · 21/11/2018 09:17

Gosh, that's awful, OP.

Most hospital wards are far, far too hot with absolutely no air in them for most people, especially for children who tend to run hot. So it would seem likely there must be a patient and their family who would happily swap out of a stuffy hot bay?

ChasedByBees · 21/11/2018 09:20

14 is far too cold. Escalate this anyway you can OP.

Original poster
Alwaysbekind2014 · 21/11/2018 09:23

I have asked to speak to the matron as there is 4 wards I don’t even mind moving wards ha it’s tooo cold and it getting colder tonight !

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 21/11/2018 09:25

14 is bloody freezing!! That’s ridiculous.

Original poster
Alwaysbekind2014 · 21/11/2018 09:27

Yep that’s what I meant it’s basically because the window is useless !!!

OP posts:
NWQM · 21/11/2018 09:35

Understand why you have asked to speak to the matron but check out whether she / he has any responsibility for bed management. You need that person not the wards clinic lead - especially if the ward staff have complaint fatigue about it. Good luck. You don't need this on top of worrying about the actual op

ragmayo · 21/11/2018 09:37

Definitely request the bear hugger. What's his temp now? If below 36 they'd have to get it anyway

SnuggyBuggy · 21/11/2018 09:38

That's awful OP. Many hospital buildings are very slummy with a lot of corners cut but I would expect better for a children's ward.

Bec123456 · 21/11/2018 09:45

There won’t be much the nurses can do overnight (I’ve been there!) so push to get this sorted today. Firstly get the ward manager as she should be able to sort it. If unable to swap rooms then she will need to contact estates for an Oil radiator for the room - estates often close by 4pm so you are looking to have this resolved completely or know plan b by around 2pm at the latest! If no joy by 3pm I’d email/phone chief executive (get details now so you are ready) as they should be there until 5pm so that it’s escalated with time for them to respond.
Blankets in front of the window can help quite a bit but you still need something providing some heat. Good luck!

WellThisIsShit · 21/11/2018 09:54

That’s awful. I hope you get it sorted quickly.

My advice would be not to wait quietly once they’ve fobbed you off, as you’ll find the time flies and soon you’ll be being told there’s nothing anyone can do today... unfortuneately, you have to be the squeaky wheel.

GrandmaSharksDentures · 21/11/2018 09:54

I would suggest that you start with the ward manager or matron. You can then escalate to the divisional staff (different hospitals call them different names but they're the next team up).
After 5pm (ish) the site managers take over & in my experience they are often better at resolving this type of issue

Missingstreetlife · 21/11/2018 09:55

Urgent call to Pa for hospital administrator/chief exec. Speak to her (or him). Trouble shooters, usually sort it out double kwik. Good luck. Hope your little1 is ok.

Roobub · 21/11/2018 10:03

Yeah 14 is way too cold. Get a bair hugger on now and speak to the ward manager. Tell them before you speak to PALS to make a formal complaint you'd like to give them the opportunity to move her to a suitable room that isn't freezing cold!