To think my husband is gravely ill at the wrong time?

[MyOtherCarIsAPorsche]

Masses of confusion.

Husband spoke to GP yesterday morning and described his chest pain. He was advised to call an ambulance. My husband refused because he didn't think he needed one - thought he had chest infection or torn muscle.

He went to A&E - was sat in a corridor from 10.30am - he had ecg, x ray and blood test. He continued to sit on a chair in the corridor all day.

He was told he was waiting for blood test results. These came back at 6pm. Then he had to wait for a CT scan - then rushed to resus.

Dissected aorta from heart level to naval level.

I was called to be allowed to sit with him because I wasn't allowed to be in A&E. Was then told he was being blue lighted to another hospital an hour away for immediate surgery. I asked is this time critical? The answer was - yes life saving.

Paramedics arrived and told me to set off to this other hospital. There were three paramedics. One said 'I'm not taking him because I can't use that bit of kit, I'll lose my job if something goes wrong'. No advanced paramedics available and no doctor available to go in the transfer.

I was 15 min into the journey and then called back to the hospital.

No surgery.

Trying all day today to get him transferred. Nothing available.

He's critically ill.

I'm out of my mind with worry.

There's a saying about not being ill on the weekend. The standard of care is not the same. The 24hr cover appears to not exist.

I feel like we're being fobbed off with poor excuses big style.

@TheUnexpectedPickle I've been in a critical care ambulance transfer in London (between ICUs) so there do operate within London... was a patient so can't tell you do much about it but to say they don't have them in London is a bit misleading.

This sounds absolutely horrid. My dad, at the end of January, woke up Saturday morning at 8am complaining he didn't feel well. Was very irritable & agitated. Ambo turned up within 10 minutes. My dad got in the back, promptly had a cardiac arrest & paramedics had to use a defibrillator on him to bring him back. He got rushed to hospital where they immediately whisked him into theatre & put in 3 stents.
I'm quite shocked that they left your husband sitting around all day without being properly monitored. Compounded by the fact they now can't take him to a dedicated hospital. I'd put in a complaint.
I truly hope hubby will be ok 💕

Sending him prayers. I wouldn't wish your situation on anyone. I hope you can get the transfer he needs soon. Xx

I'm so sorry.

Contact PALS, ask to speak to management, senior consultants...literally anyone who might get things happening.

What a dreadful service! I’m sadly not surprised, I spent 12 hours in a and e last Friday, being moved from one plastic chair to another. There was no communication, I wasn’t even advised of my blood test results etc. I am scared to be ill at this point in time, given the dreadful state of the NHS. I am even leaning towards saying that it needs to be privatized, which is something I never thought I’d say.
Keep pestering them, it’s appalling! Hope your DH gets transferred soon and recovers well

OP I really feel for you, you must be beside yourself with worry. I hope something gets sorted soon.

On a more general note, one (and I mean just one, because there are many) of the reasons that the NHS is broken is because people are generally more demanding than they used to be, and more intolerant of symptoms. When I started as a GP in 1993 people would call if they’d had a sore throat for a week, then it became a few days, and now people will demand a doctors appointment if they’ve had a sore throat for less than an hour. This applies to all symptoms like coughs, colds, abdo pain, earache, headache. Not everyone does this of course, but enough people do it to fill my day. This means that the people with the serious stuff (like OP’s DH) struggle to get through, and it has a knock on effect on the whole system.

As a society we need to be more resilient and less dependent on clinicians to sort out our problems. I’ve lost count of the number of patients who refuse to speak to a counsellor about their depression because they’d rather speak to a doctor. No idea why, but it’s very common.

The NHS can’t sustain this level of demand.

I’m sure I’ll be flamed for this but I’ve worked in the NHS for so long, I’ve seen a lot of change in attitude.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche I'm so sorry. Having had some adverse but less serious hospital situations, all I can advise is to stay there as much as you can, so that you can make his care the immediate problem of any doctors on shift (obviously consultants more than juniors). Other than that, phone, phone and keep phoning. Don't be afraid to cry if you feel you're going to; I don't mean fake it, but I'm a cryer and it often does (again, not in a manipulative way) put pressure on them to engage with you and listen, take you seriously, etc. You don't have to put on a brave face the whole time.

While there are few doctors in the hospital overnight, there should be a cardiologist on call even if not present. And an ICU doctor is probably present though may be occupied with other patients. There is always a senior doctor with responsibility even when they aren't actually there. If you want to go nuclear you can start asking doctors for their GMC numbers (which implies you want to make a formal complaint about their specific care), but do not do this without cause, and be aware it will ruin your relationship with the team. Just something to keep in reserve, because it does get a reaction.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche Also if you're finding it so stressful that you can't remember what's being said, record conversations. Doctors cannot legally stop you from doing this.

Have to agree with the people saying that if he's sick enough to be in ITU, he's too sick for a paramedic only transfer. It sounds like he needs a properly escorted/crictical care transfer to a hospital that can do his surgery. I wonder if the problem is that so many staff have covid that there are no spare staff to send. I know a lot of departments that are struggling to stay open at all at present. Fucking Boris and his dropping all the rules, landing us in this crap.

I hope a proper transfer can be organised soon, and safely.

Thinking of you and your husband, echo the previous posters who said make plenty of noise, demand to speak to people higher up refuse to leave etc until u do get the answers. X

What an awful situation. No advice but I have everything crossed that they can get you DH sorted quickly x

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

It's tragic, but you are right this is the 'wrong time' to get gravely ill. The NHS has NOT always been like this.

Wishing your DH all the best OP. I don't have any suggestions but am thinking of you.

[quote TodayWeShark]@TheUnexpectedPickle I've been in a critical care ambulance transfer in London (between ICUs) so there do operate within London... was a patient so can't tell you do much about it but to say they don't have them in London is a bit misleading.[/quote]
Apologies. There are private ambulance services which may have a critical transfer ambulance.

The London Ambulance Service doesn’t, we use normal frontline ambulances for critical transfers.

I hope you’re doing well now?

It's four hours since OP last posted. I hope to God her husband's ok.

Thank you so much to everyone commenting. (Every single person - I have read all comments and I do understand how people are entitled to work within their remit. I just can't understand why he was loaded onto an ambulance trolley/bed without the staff required to safely get to H2.)

I've been messaging family.

I was allowed to stay at H1 for two hours.

I asked his nurse about what was happening - she said his blood pressure is unstable and he has had to have this additional intravenous infusion altered all day because it's not stabilising. The top figure of the reading needs to be under 120. When it reaches this point for an amount of time the infusion is stopped but his blood pressure rises immediately so the infusion is needed again.

He looks worse than yesterday. Not himself at all.

I asked to see the doctor - who came straight away. I asked him his name and I've forgotten it. I asked him if I could speak to the on call consultant who is responsible for my husband's care. He said that they don't come to speak to relatives. I said that they would be speaking to the patient who happened to have his wife visiting. He said that it wasn't going to happen.

I couldn't remember who else to ask to speak to.

I asked about the scan that didn't happen today. He said it would be taking place at hospital 2.

I asked why my husband wasn't at hospital 2. He said that there were no beds and they had to wait for H2 to ring them. I said that my husband was deteriorating - he said that he couldn't agree more.

I again asked if surgery was time critical and he said yes it is.

I said I would ring H2 and ask them about the availability of icu beds. He said he would ring again.

He came back an hour later and said that there was an HDU bed available and they were arranging transport.

Since I've been home and the shift has changed over, my husband has asked the nurse about transport and she said that they are still waiting for H2 to ring them back because there's no beds available.

So was there a bed or wasn't there?

They really had me fooled - I came home believing that he was being transferred.

I think that they just wanted me out of the way and told me what I wanted to hear.

I am sick to my stomach - I haven't eaten in more than 30 hrs.

I feel so sorry for you. I know it is probably difficult but do try to eat/drink and rest etc. You need to be feeling physically OK so you can continue to advocate for your husband. I am thinking of you and hoping for better news.

I am so sorry you are going through this.

Have you contacted PALS for the hospital or trust? They might be able to help you get straight answers and action.

From the NHS website:

"You'll find a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in most hospitals.

You can speak with a PALS member, who'll try to help you resolve issues informally with the hospital before you need to make a complaint.

PALS can be particularly helpful if your issue is urgent and you need action immediately, such as a problem with the treatment or care you receive while in hospital."

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche ring now and ask to be put through to whoever is in charge of the hospital tonight , they can be bleeped and then ask them what is happening . Make a fuss and keep bothering them IME as an ex nurse and a relative it works .

It sounds like you did really well in questioning them but God knows what's really going on.

Try to eat something and get some sleep.

Have you got another visit arranged? I'd be inclined to do prepared to dig your heels in and refuse to leave until you see him loaded onto an an ambulance with appropriate support and can drive behind it to hospital 2 tbh.

The way you and your DH are being treated is awful.

Try and eat something if you can. I hope there is some movement soon. 🙏

Blimey, awful.

Firstly, as others have said, get something to eat, even if you nibble. You need some nutrition.

Secondly, definitely phone the hospital as another poster said. Demand to speak to night manager/matron /consultant. Insist. I doubt PALS will be available tonight, your best bet it to speak to the most senior person on call. If your husband is deteriorating and due to be moved you have the right to advocate for him.

Have you got any support nearby tonight to make a drink, snack for you whilst you call?

It's really important you look after yourself right now, and that means getting some food and a little sleep when you can.

Get yourself a notepad. Every time you speak to a doctor ask them to write down their name so you can remember who you've spoken to. Write down the time and what they've told you.

When you ask about transfers there are a few questions you need to ask. Write them down now so you can remember them later.

• Is he being transferred today?
• Is there an ICU/HDU bed available for him at H2
• Is the bed reserved for him? (probably not until transfer is confirmed)
• Is everything and everyone needed for the transfer confirmed available?
• When is the transfer occurring?

Unfortunately, until you know everything is in place you can't assume the transfer is happening.

I wish you and your husband all the best.

There may have been a bed but it's been taken by someone who didnt need transport to get there. Have some water, eat something, phone the second hospital and kick up a fuss there. Find their PALS contact. Get PALS involved at BOTH hospitals.

Privatisation will only help if we pay a lot more because you need staff and they are being treated so badly they are leaving. Covid has increased the pressure to the point where some people just want out.

This is so awful. Can you ring the second hospital and find out if there’s a bed? Even act like you don’t know he’s not there, because you were told he was being transferred.