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Original poster

Any health workers on here can advise on dodgy care in hospital - my dad

18 replies

roisin · 23/04/2006 04:13

My dad has cancer (myeloma - 3.5 yrs since dx) and is in and out of hospital, usually on haematology ward - where generally most patients are fairly independent, in terms of getting to the loo etc.

But my dad had major surgery (metalwork inserted) in left arm AND left leg a week ago, and has an unstable spine - wears neck collar and has limited movement. He is only 62 and had always been very active and determined, so he does as much as he possibly can himself. But atm he is very dependant on staff, which he hates. (He can now get out of bed, but cannot and is not allowed to do so unassisted.)

He knows they are busy, but if he needs anything he needs help basically, and sometimes it is quite urgent. When he presses his bell it takes up to 30 mins for someone to respond, and sometimes they then go off and don't come back.

Shock When my mum went in this morning he had basically been waiting for over an hour to go to the toilet! There had also been a query about his drugs at 8 am, so when she got in at 11.15 he hadn't had any pain relief at all that day Shock
(he's on quite a lot of morphine) or anti-sickness drugs, which he'd asked for.

My dad is wary of saying anything as he doesn't want to upset staff, but my mum is absolutely furious with the care he's getting.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Original poster
roisin · 23/04/2006 04:18

Sorry that's quite long. Basically he's continually uncomfortable, because he can't do things for himself, and because basic toilet/drug needs are so poorly managed then feels he can't ask anyone to assist with 'minor' things that are making him miserable - when he gets too cold, but can't adjust the fan or window himself, or if his PJs have got rucked up ... or whatever!

OP posts:
SueW · 23/04/2006 04:55

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

alicemama · 23/04/2006 06:31

roisin, that is absoltely terrible. You need to complain about this. There is no excuse for not answering a bell for 30 mins, I don't care what they're doing. Your dad is far more important that any amount of paperwork that they might use as an excuse.
Complain to the nurse who is responsible for your dad's care that day/shift and if that doesn't work I'd ask to see the ward sister if she's ever around.....thats a big "if" I know!
If the staff are uncooperative do keep on asking, you might have to make a pain of yourself, in their eyes not in the eyes of any normal, compassionate person, but it'll get the job done.iyswim
Hope things improve and your dad feels better soon

Original poster
roisin · 23/04/2006 10:13

Thanks you two.
The difficulty is we live 3 hrs away and both have full-time jobs, so can't get over very often. My mum is also a full-time carer for a disabled person, so she can't get in in the morning before she's got him up and off to daycare (c.10.30 at the earliest.)

My bro is actually a consultant surgeon. I was wondering about getting him to go in and make a comment, or whether that would really antagonise them?

The difficulty they are really busy, and are not really geared up to people in my dad's situation. If he were on the orthopaedic ward I think it would be different because they would understand his situation a bit better.

Anyway at least it makes him determined to work hard on the physio so that he can get out of hospital asap!

OP posts:
Original poster
roisin · 23/04/2006 10:14

Bleurgh... Apologies to the editing police: far too many 'really's in that post! I guess I am really really annoyed and upset about this, hence the 4 am posting!

OP posts:
edam · 23/04/2006 10:15

Have your asked your brother for advice on how to bring this to the nurses' attention? he might be able to come up with a way of wording it.

Original poster
roisin · 23/04/2006 10:20

I get the impression he is a bit of a despot in his work; and that if I let him know what's going on that he will just storm in there and really tell them off. And I'm just not sure that will help.

This is a ward that he is going to have to keep coming back to this year.

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/04/2006 10:26

I think you need to have a word with the senior nurse on the ward roisin. As you say, they are used to dealing with more physically able patients but your dad needs extra care. There' no excuse for not having his pain meds on time. Poor chap.

karapar · 23/04/2006 10:36

My step-dad has recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was on the isolation ward of our local hospital - I think it's also a cancer ward, and I have to say got very good treatment, Luckily we all live fairly locally and were there every day and I feel that the staff responded to the fact they knew we were keeping close tabs on things. Any chance you could take a couple of days off and establish a bit of a presence on the ward ?Or get him transferred to another ward ?

karapar · 23/04/2006 10:48

Just had another thought - my step-dad has a couple of research nurses who are monitoring his treatment - I'm not sure if this is standard practice for all cancer patients or because he opted to go on a clinical trial, but they are very helpful with any problems. They could be a point of contact if your Dad has same situation.

chapsmum · 23/04/2006 11:04

rosin, sorry to hear about your dad. it is really important that you get his sorted.
How about putting the not answerring the buzzer to them like this.
We realise that you are short staffed, however someone having to wait to go to the toilet is unnacceptable. We can see that you are busy and so would like a copy of your complaints procedure and would like to make a formal complaint, not against staff. But agaisnt staffing levels that would cause conditions to be so unsatisfactory.
Additionally your dad should be seen by a pain management Nurse would would implament a pain management regieme (presuming he does not alredy have one). Whilst attending the ward and you dad she can offer advice and guidence to staff about controlling pain and offering analgesia. The will be expected to monitor your and document your Dads pain and sedations scores regularly.
It is so horrible to see someone you love go through that, and as someone who can look at it fromthe patiens side and the professional side, it can sometimes be counterproductive to go in with all guns blazing and demanding things, even if you are really entitled to them.
ympathise witht the staff and see if you cant some up with a solution which is mutually beneficial.

Hth

desperateSCOUSEwife · 23/04/2006 11:09

roisin sorry about your dadSad
thinking of you babe
xxx

obviously this is not on, he needs proper care and attention
I spent alot of time in hospital last year and the only way to get anything done is to complain
I can understand your dad does not want to make a fuss as he must be a man with pride
any chance if you could have a word with the ward manager or even your mum
I sincerely hope he gets the care he needs
xxx

Original poster
roisin · 23/04/2006 12:40

Thanks all. I just hate being so far away and feeling so helpless.

OP posts:
Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 23/04/2006 12:54

I went to a meeting with an MP on Friday- this sort of thing was discussed and she told people if they ever received substandard care to contact her directly. might be worth taking up with the MP, even if your dad doesn't want a fuss. MP's can make discreet (no names) enquiries- perhaps just mention the ward. Can be enough to get people behaving again.

SueW · 23/04/2006 16:52

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 23/04/2006 19:09

It was the MP who stressed that it was essential that she was told this sort of thing (she's a labour MP btw), because she said she needed to know if things were ever going to change. It was exactly this sort of thing that she said wasn't good enough.

elastamum · 23/04/2006 19:41

That is absolutely awful! I think you need to complain about his care and make it very clear that what he is experiencing is unacceptable and you will take it further if it does not improve. A similar thing happened to my Dad when he was dying of cancer. I came into the ward one morning to find him sat in a chair by his bed brakfast in front of him in so much pain he had his head on the table. They just got him out of bed and left him at a time he couldnt even sit up for more than a couple of minutes let alone feed himself. I kicked up a stink with the ward sister and the duty doctor and they did sort things out, but it was very distressing. Unfortunately if you dont complain, nobody cares Sad

Tipex · 23/04/2006 19:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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