Grandad moved to hospital 40 miles away

[Whenlifegiveslemons]

My grandad has been in hospital 4 weeks now after a really bad fall. He has dementia & he's definitely gotten worse while in hospital. I've been doing most of the talking/passing info on to him as he struggles & forgets doctors talk & docs are aware I'm his LPA. Weve been waiting for a bed at a community hospital for a week (i specifically asked if they could contact me before they move him when bed becomes available). I got a call today from where he lives to say the hospital are now moving him 40 miles away to a community hospital, today! They didn't call me directly even though I specifically asked they did, I visit every 2/3 days so they know he has family. But said they dont have any next of kin contact numbers?! Does anyone know what the guidance is around travel distance from home? I'm livid as he's so vulnerable & moving him (an hours drive) with no notice, isn't in his best interest at all.

I don't know what, if any, guidance there is, but I do remember talk of finding my elderly MIL a specialist hospital place 90 miles away, if we were lucky. As it happened, a vacancy came up that was only 30 miles away, which was a relief of sorts.
I'd have thought the point of a community hospital was that it was close to your actual community, though.

If he needs a specialist bed they need to find a suitable place, it's obviously the closest one. Unless all his children have passed away, or you are legally nominated you aren't his next of kin unfortunately

A bed is a bed. Welcome to 2024.

Ah, it’s tough. TBH, moving him out of a general hospital ward to a community hospital probably is in his best interests and it’s unlucky that a bed in a facility nearer to you didn’t come free in time.

Where’s “where he lives”? A care home?

It's not clear cut that it's in his best interests to move a long way from family when unfamiliarity is known to worsen dementia symptoms. He might get more suitable medical treatment but to what end?

I understand the challenges the NHS faces, but it would be more accurate to say it's in the best interests of the NHS to move him, not his own.

I speak from experience: a general hospital ward is a highly unsuitable environment for someone with dementia. Sure, a nearby placing would be ideal, but if that’s not available, I would say getting them out of that environment would be a priority.

A community hospital will be calmer, quieter, with fewer and more consistent staff (and fellow patients), who will have time to engage with the patient and with the aim of rehabilitation rather than medical management.

Think of it like a care home but with the possibility of getting them back home.

@Whenlifegiveslemons sorry for your situation it sounds like you are really trying to engage. Some one else asked - does he normally live independently or is he in a nursing/care home? Also - ignore posters such as @MumChp -completely unnecessary comment when you are trying to get advice.

Wherever he is moved to will be unfamiliar though, whether it’s 5 miles or 50 miles. It will make no difference to him. It certainly isn’t in the best interest of an elderly person with dementia to be left on a general hospital ward if they don’t have a medical need - a community rehab centre will be far better able to support his needs.

People with dementia really really struggle on a busy hospital ward.

Are you actually the next of kin?

There might be guidance on distance to hospitals but I suspect it's in terms of "closest possible" etc etc. I know people who have been transferred long distances for specialist care.

@Soontobe60 the surroundings will be unfamiliar wherever he goes, but the point op is making is that family can visit and provide support when he is nearby, they are presumably unable to do that to the same extent at 40 miles distance. That can make a significant difference to the progress someone is able to make in a rehab setting.