Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know IABU, blatantly using this for traffic. Emergency situation, no ambulance still, and need advice

765 replies

TheChinkOfaGlass · 19/12/2022 16:35

Hi everyone

My Auntie had a fall this morning and has seriously hurt her hip. Luckily she was close enough to the bed to get herself up on it.

999 said it is not an emergency and to contact 111, she was in severe agony and is 78 years old. I rang 111 who after assessing her, decided she did indeed need an ambulance.

I had originally offered to take her to the hospital but she lives on the top floor of a maisonette, and is unable to sit up (so a car journey would be no good and I would be unable to carry her to the car anyway. I did get help but she declined due to the inability to even sit up).

Her husband is disabled so isn't much use (I mean this in the nicest possible way, he is trying his best) other than keeping an eye on her.

So we could be waiting hours for an ambulance but in the meantime she is soaked through on the bed due to urinating on herself. I am going there in the next 30 minutes.

Is it safe to roll her to change the sheets to make her more comfortable? I don't like the idea of her lying in a soaking bed while she waits. I am also scared of causing more pain/damage by moving her. We do not know what's wrong, she thinks it may he her hip. I just don't know what to do. I have never experienced this kind of thing.

Her partner has managed to change her underwear but when the bed is so wet, it wouldn't really make a difference.

OP posts:
Soapboxqueen · 19/12/2022 20:35

RichardMarxisinnocent · 19/12/2022 20:05

Not sure it would help if she's already feeling the urge to go? Surely it's too late?

Show quote history

Not necessarily. If you don't go after a while, your gut stops sending messages to your brain about needing to go. Essentially it gets the message of 'not now'. Obviously this won't last forever.

Taking imodium could give extra time.

However, the downside being it can cause constipation.

TokyoSushi · 19/12/2022 20:35

I'm so sorry this is happening OP, hope you get sorted very soon

Dintananadinta · 19/12/2022 20:38

@BoreOfWhabylon
111 always say words to the effect of "if anything changes or you have any further concerns call back"

not if we send an ambulance. The responsibility is now with 999.

canyouextrapol · 19/12/2022 20:41

It's such a terrible terrible state of affairs that this is what our health service has come to now. I don't know what it would take for the government to get it together and sort things out :( I hope she's ok :(

iceyniceyspicey · 19/12/2022 20:41

does she have a hair dryer? could you dry her up that way? That's how I quickly dry the bed when the children have wet the bed but I must admit it doesn't smell nice. Better than sitting wet for ages though.

nolongersurprised · 19/12/2022 20:43

Soapboxqueen · 19/12/2022 20:35

Not necessarily. If you don't go after a while, your gut stops sending messages to your brain about needing to go. Essentially it gets the message of 'not now'. Obviously this won't last forever.

Taking imodium could give extra time.

However, the downside being it can cause constipation.

Show quote history

it could be more than a day before she’s on a ward though - after the wait for an ambulance there’ll be a wait to actually get into the ED.

Surely much better to go at home, with relatives, than in the back of an ambulance?

Justsaynonow · 19/12/2022 20:46

Rowthe · 19/12/2022 16:43

She definitely needs an ambulance.
I mean she ca t even get to the bathroom right now.

I think you'll just have to keep her comfortable until it arrives unfortunately.

Maybe like some of the suggestions above, puppy pads as these would be the easiest thongs to get right now. Also need to be careful that her skin doesnt become sore due to being wet.

Yes to the skin concern - wetness and prolonged pressure on the same spot are dangerous. I looked after someone who had been on the ground for a day with a broken hip, insisting that her neighbour not call an ambulance (!) She ended up with a huge pressure sore on top of a broken hip.

Your auntie will need to be moved a bit to relieve pressure, at least every 2 hours. Log roll (body and legs as 1 unit)

Broadswordcalling · 19/12/2022 20:49

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Soapboxqueen · 19/12/2022 21:01

nolongersurprised · 19/12/2022 20:43

it could be more than a day before she’s on a ward though - after the wait for an ambulance there’ll be a wait to actually get into the ED.

Surely much better to go at home, with relatives, than in the back of an ambulance?

Show quote history

I'm not making a comment about what would be better. Just what imodium could do in response to another poster.

However, some people might prefer to be at home and cleaned up by relatives. Others would much prefer that it isn't relatives that cleaned them up. 🤷🏻

Morechocmorechoc · 19/12/2022 21:01

Sorry op completely misread as multi tasking...badly! Thought she'd refused the help from ambulance. Hope they've been now.

3luckystars · 19/12/2022 21:05

That’s absolutely awful.

Original poster
TheChinkOfaGlass · 19/12/2022 21:07

Still no ambulance. I've read all of your replies but can't respond to all.

I'm completely torn over moving her, I don't want to cause damage so I have taken the advice to hair dry her clothing. She's very distressed. She actually rang 999 again herself before I got there and was told no eta. I did explain she can't ring 999 for updates unless she deteriorates.

I've put fresh dry blankets on top of her now and fire is on full.

So stressed

OP posts:
SuperGinger · 19/12/2022 21:11

Your poor aunt, I really feel for her. This is appalling in one of the world's leading economies we cannot get an ambulance to a 78 year old woman. The NHS is not fit for purpose.

Do you have a tray or baking sheet you could slide under her so she could poo on that?

SuperGinger · 19/12/2022 21:12

She is lucky to have you OP ❤️

nolongersurprised · 19/12/2022 21:12

How long has it been since the injury?

is she tolerating sips of fluid?

EmmaAgain22 · 19/12/2022 21:13

TheChinkOfaGlass · 19/12/2022 21:07

Still no ambulance. I've read all of your replies but can't respond to all.

I'm completely torn over moving her, I don't want to cause damage so I have taken the advice to hair dry her clothing. She's very distressed. She actually rang 999 again herself before I got there and was told no eta. I did explain she can't ring 999 for updates unless she deteriorates.

I've put fresh dry blankets on top of her now and fire is on full.

So stressed

In that situation, I would want someone to give me a tranquiliser, a shot of vodka and hang the consequences of any medicine interactions. That's just me though.

Soproudoflionesses · 19/12/2022 21:16

Poor lady how distressing for her

Rowthe · 19/12/2022 21:17

TheChinkOfaGlass · 19/12/2022 21:07

Still no ambulance. I've read all of your replies but can't respond to all.

I'm completely torn over moving her, I don't want to cause damage so I have taken the advice to hair dry her clothing. She's very distressed. She actually rang 999 again herself before I got there and was told no eta. I did explain she can't ring 999 for updates unless she deteriorates.

I've put fresh dry blankets on top of her now and fire is on full.

So stressed

Hope it isn't too much longer

meetmynewusername · 19/12/2022 21:17

Poor lady this is awful. So distressing for you too. She’s lucky to have you. It sounds like you’re doing the best you can for the moment. Hang on in there x

Lysianthus · 19/12/2022 21:17

Have you called back? Id be inclined to exaggerate now, breathing issues etc. it's appalling as PPs hve said but I'd not want her in such pain and the dehydration could lead to infection/sepsis and on that basis I'd lay it in with a trowel. Good luck OP and hope help is on its way.

ShitShoweringClouds · 19/12/2022 21:18

I would phone the put of hours GP and ask them to come and prescribe pain relief. And send the community nurses out to administer it.

DuchessDandelion · 19/12/2022 21:20

My goodness this is awful.

I have had first aid training too and wouldn't be happy to attempt to roll her because you don't know if the injury has caused her los of bladder control, so I'm glad you haven't.

If she'll let you, can you give her a sponge bath? Basin of warm soapy water and a flannel, she will feel less distressed for being a bit cleaner (but obviously just wash where you can reach and let her do as much as wants to herself).

If there are any late night pharmacies open and one of you can get to them, I'd go and see if they have bedpans and pads. They might also be able to help with pain relief.

I understand she doesn't want to drink but encourage sips of water or squash to keep her hydrated.

Keep calling 999 - I don't know what more you can do right now :( Flowers

UseAMuckySock · 19/12/2022 21:20

This is appalling. Keep us updated if you can OP. Hope she’s ok

DuchessDandelion · 19/12/2022 21:21

I'd also ask 999 to send a first responder - assuming they still use them. It's been a few years since I had to use thr emergency services.

meetmynewusername · 19/12/2022 21:21

Lysianthus · 19/12/2022 21:17

Have you called back? Id be inclined to exaggerate now, breathing issues etc. it's appalling as PPs hve said but I'd not want her in such pain and the dehydration could lead to infection/sepsis and on that basis I'd lay it in with a trowel. Good luck OP and hope help is on its way.

I totally understand and feel this way too to some extent, but OP really can’t do that. They aren’t being slow just because. They’re slow because somewhere there is another old lady who’s fallen and really DOES have breathing problems, who has to be prioritised. It’s shit, but OP and her aunt just have to wait it out, not lie.

Swipe left for the next trending thread