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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To discharge myself

20 replies

Conistonhawks · 15/04/2025 10:49

In a nutshell shell i got a phone caml
on Friday asking me to come in for a series of tests. It has been discussed it would be easier to do this as an inpatient.
since Friday I have had a blood test, seen one doctor (not consultant) and that’s it.

yesterday she. I actually got to speak to a doctor she said the tests has not even been booked in yet!!!! I may see the consultant tomorrow (which is now today) but I might not. I asked her why these tests were not booked before I came in and she said that’s not the way they do it and it’s more fitting me in when there is time.

i asked how long I would be in and she said I need 4 or 5 different tests and some may not get done till after the Easter bank holiday.

so I have been here since Friday lunchtime. And I am facing another 6 days at least and then that’s when tests will restart if even begin.

I have a son at home I am missing his Easter holiday and my husband has MS. He says he is coping ok but I think he is struggling reading between the lines.

i can’t just be in here with nothing being done. I asked if I could go home for the Easter weekend or at least go home during the day and come back at night but was told no.

the tests are not life or death it’s to see if a long term condition can be improved. I honestly don’t know how long I can be here without anything happening.

the nhs is desperate for beds yet here I am taking up a bed

OP posts:
Saz12 · 15/04/2025 10:59

That sounds crazy! I can understand emergencies taking up time and bumping prearranged apps into running v late. But over a week?

However... discharging yourself will just mean you don't get the tests at all.

WaitingOnTheDay · 15/04/2025 11:18

‘Easier’ to do as an inpatient, I presume that means they can be done as an outpatient? If so, I would definitely discharge myself as it’s a long term condition. If you do decide to stay in, I hope you don’t have too much longer for them all to be done.

TriesNotToBeCynical · 15/04/2025 12:29

WaitingOnTheDay · 15/04/2025 11:18

‘Easier’ to do as an inpatient, I presume that means they can be done as an outpatient? If so, I would definitely discharge myself as it’s a long term condition. If you do decide to stay in, I hope you don’t have too much longer for them all to be done.

Ever since I started in the NHS (55 years ago!) we have had the dysfunctional problem (occasionally temporarily solved in narrow fields, but rarely) that the urgency we can get tests done doesn't depend on how ill, or urgent, the patient was, but just whether they are an inpatient or outpatient. Perhaps there is a two year wait for outpatient tests that can only be avoided by admission. That said, surely the OP could be granted ward leave over Easter - this can be done most places.

Original poster
Conistonhawks · 15/04/2025 13:39

Well I have finally seen the doctor and it’s looks like my tests won’t get done till after the Easter break unless I can be slotted in. I have said I need to go home at least during the day over Easter or I am discharging myself.

can you imagine bringing people in for operations and saying “right you are here now and sometime over the next 2 weeks you will have your operation”

OP posts:
Original poster
Conistonhawks · 15/04/2025 13:41

So if it’s after the Easter weekend-
say Tuesday
I will have been here for 10 days with nothing done. NHS money being used for a bed for a patient who is having nothing done and is not ill in the serious sense of the word. I am just here.

OP posts:
justneed · 15/04/2025 13:44

No way fuck that, I would be discharging myself!

sonoonetoldyoulifewasgonnabethisway · 15/04/2025 13:45

That sounds absolutely ridiculous. They are using a bed that someone else may need. Do you live far from the hospital? Would it take you long to get there if they called and said we can fit you in at so and so a time? I would look at making complaint, or bringing it to the attention of whoever runs the hospital

dogcatkitten · 15/04/2025 13:47

If they won't do the tests as outpatient and they don't know when they can fit you in as an inpatient you are in a difficult position. Chances are if you go home there will be no bed for you after Easter and you will go to the back of the queue. If the tests aren't that important to you go home, but you will probably have the same problem next time. Could you get the tests done privately at reasonable cost?

Grimbeorn · 15/04/2025 13:52

How far is your house from the hospital? Can you just go for a "walk" (for your mental health) at 9am, go home for the day, and return at 7pm? I've been in hospital a few times and never prevented from going out if I was well enough to do so.

Original poster
Conistonhawks · 15/04/2025 14:31

I live literally 10 minutes drive away from the hospital

OP posts:
Bushmillsbabe · 15/04/2025 14:39

I had that. I passed out at work, colleagues called an ambulance, taken to hospital as they queried whether I was having a stroke. I told them was an ear infection and this happens sometimes, my CT head was clear, no symptoms. But they told me I wasn't allowed to drive until I had an MRI of my brain - and that the wait as an outpatient wouod be at least 3 months - we live in a rural area and not being able to drive would mean I couldnt work. But if I stayed in would have priority and would be seen within 48 hours. After 3 days of me taking up a bed and be absolutely fine, no scan and looked like it could be another week. After many discussions they agreed for me to go home but on a system called 'virtual ward' - so I was technically still an inpatient with priority. Maybe ask them if that's an option?

Original poster
Conistonhawks · 15/04/2025 14:44

I will just say as well 2 others women have been here since Friday all in the same boat. So that’s 3 of us taking up beds. In fact they have just squeezed a seventh bed into the bay with an emergency

OP posts:
Crispynoodle · 15/04/2025 14:47

That’s a nonsense I would 💯 be going home!

EmeraldRoulette · 15/04/2025 14:51

Go home.

have you seen if there's corridor patients?

I dunno what senior mgmt are actually doing.

uncomfortablydumb60 · 15/04/2025 23:48

That is ridiculous!! As I see it, you’re between a rock and a hard place if they won’t do the tests as an inpatient.
How far do you live from the hospital?
is it possible to go home for the day?

uncomfortablydumb60 · 15/04/2025 23:49

Ah sorry missed that you’re 10 minutes away
Go home on “ Day release”
They’ll phone you if anything changes

Dogaredabomb · 15/04/2025 23:52

Oh that's nonsense, just ask for an AMA form and book an uber home. Maybe you could book to have the blood tests done privately?

Original poster
Conistonhawks · 15/04/2025 23:58

I have seen the consultant and he wants me to stay till next Friday but I can go home during the day over the bank holiday weekend. The first test is booked in for tomorrow and another for Thursday.

but…..we have just had a man brought to our bay and he has been put in the bed next to me as there is no other bed. The lady opposite me asked to see the nurse as she does not feel comfortable with it as she was once sexually assaulted in a hospital but has basically been told there is nothing that can be done. Curtains are not allowed to be shut as the staff wants to keep an eye on a couple of us who are at risk of seizures.

he has seven people with him and one is currently sat so near me I could reach out and touch him. Now common sense is telling me they should hopefully be told to go home soon but then again why have they let seven people come up with him. They all seem to be adults as well.

OP posts:
MovingAlongNicely · 16/04/2025 00:07

This is outrageous. Who on earth is running this shit show? Seriously, how has it got this bad?

I hope you manage to get out of there soon OP. I must admit, you have more patience than me, I’d be long gone.

uncomfortablydumb60 · 16/04/2025 12:55

Seven people around one bed wouldn’t be allowed in any other hospital.
5 of them should be asked to leave and return another time.
i believe you can involve PALS from your hospital bed and ask them to sort it.

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