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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

How to ask about a patient in Newcastle RVI?

16 replies

NorthernBullet · 16/02/2019 20:59

Hi, please excuse how annoying this question is, but I've just heard my friend is in RVI in a really bad way, does anybody know what number I call to ask about him? I feel stupid calling as I've no further details - I don't know what ward he's on, or even if he definitely is there even! Do I just call the main number, and will they even tell me anything? You'd think when I'm so panicked about my friend I wouldn't have the headspace to feel anxious about feeling stupid on the phone..

OP posts:

Jackshouse · 16/02/2019 21:00

You could call but if you are not next of kin I’m not sure they will even confirm if they are a patient.

Original poster

NorthernBullet · 16/02/2019 21:04

I was afraid thinking that might be the case

OP posts:

SingaSong12 · 16/02/2019 21:05

If you are a relative you can try phoning 01912336161. If not they should not give you any info (not confirm friend is even there or not.)

I’ve been treated there a few times and they have been very good (apart from perennial bad hospital food).

Hope your friend is OK

Original poster

NorthernBullet · 16/02/2019 21:20

Thank you. He doesn't have any next of kin so I'm pretty sure he'll be there alone - feel helpless knowing he could potentially be seriously ill with nobody there and there's nothing I can do

OP posts:

PinkiOcelot · 16/02/2019 21:24

You could lie and say he’s your cousin or something. Hope you manage to find something out about him. Does he live up here?

Original poster

NorthernBullet · 16/02/2019 21:27

Good thinking, I may try that! I'm a hopeless liar though. He lives a few hours from the RVI, he got transferred there. He had cancer last year and the last time I was in touch with him a few weeks ago he was in our local hospital ill and having tests, then all of a sudden the contact stopped and someone mentioned he thought he might now be in the RVI. It's so frustrating that there's nobody I can ask!

OP posts:

PinkiOcelot · 16/02/2019 21:31

Good luck. Hope you manage to find something out x

SingaSong12 · 16/02/2019 21:34

In that case could you phone explain the situation regarding a patient and ask if they would pass a message on from a concerned friend in the circumstances. I had access to my phone when I was there (though probably different if he is seriously ill.) you could ask if he could agree that they can speak to you. Ring up a day later and see if it worked.

Wandaaa · 16/02/2019 21:36

I would phone, it will help if you know his date of birth.

Original poster

NorthernBullet · 16/02/2019 21:52

I've just tried, they won't tell me anything thanks again all

OP posts:

SteveMcqueensJeans · 16/02/2019 22:07

Maybe wait until morning and a different shift. Rather than asking for info just say you want your friend to know you have called and are thinking of them. Maybe ask if they can ask friend if it's is ok with the staff sharing an update with you, although depends how poorly they are and if they want to agree to that. Can you go in and visit or are you too far away?

Original poster

NorthernBullet · 16/02/2019 22:36

Good plan SteveMc! I'll try that in the morning. I do want to go visit but I'm a few hours away also, and I'm assuming it'd be the same thing- turned away if not next of kin

OP posts:

OolongSlayer · 16/02/2019 22:43

Maybe try ringing the Freeman hospital as well as they have a big cancer care ward, it’s about a 10/15 minute drive from the RVI

Dontaskmeihaventaclue · 17/02/2019 02:37

Just ask what ward the patient is on and what are the visiting times. This is a perfectly normal question to ask, switchboard where I work regularly put enquiry calls like this through to a and e if they don't know ( we seem to be the fount of all knowledge) my sister was in intensive care 4 hours drive from me and they had no trouble confirming where she was to me over the phone. It's no different than a visitor asking which ward at an enquiry desk at visiting time. Hope your friend is ok.

CoolJule43 · 17/02/2019 04:43

I heard a friend had been blue-lighted to hospital so phoned nearest main hospital to find out what ward they were on. I was asked for their date of birth before being told what area of ICU they were in.

FixTheBone · 17/02/2019 05:47

What you should do is to explain the situation and ask -" I'm not sure if person x is there, but, if they are, could you ask if they mind me visiting and if that's OK, get back in touch to let me know when and where."

As others have said, you absolutely should not be given any information over the phone, and you mustn't try to coax it from the staff - somebody could lose their job if your friend didn't want visitors and made a complaint.

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