Usual for hospital to call to update you after relative’s surgery?

[JaneEyreBedHair]

Hi, is it normal/usual practice for the hospital to ring you after a relative has surgery to inform on how procedure went etc?

My mother had a planned procedure done yesterday afternoon and no-one called to say how it had gone & how she was doing. Finally got a call from the ward at 11am today to say she was with them. Now she’s needed more surgery after a complication & we’re all waiting in limbo again for an update ☹️. Is this usual practice??

And I’m down as the next of kin.

I would have thought it was up to you to ring in and check.

No, in my experience it's not normal practice. It would be on you to call to find out her progress.

Normally you’re expected to ring if you want an update.

No. It's down to the relative to call the ward if they want an update.

Your mum isn't a child.

I think OP knows her mother isn't a child. How nasty you are!

OP, I've always rung the ward for updates.

I’m not in the UK so it’s different, but the surgeon calls pretty soon after surgery ends.

I got text updates at every stage of my DH’s major surgery and then a phone call from the surgeon when he was in recovery.

Yes I’ve tried ringing the ward and no -one picks up. Hung on for 6 minutes straight. Maybe I’ll just have to hang on & on.

Thanks

Staff don't have time for to make calls, is there anyone with your mum who can update you or even the patient herself can do so? NOK only for decisions if she isn't able to make them herself

Dh was in for eleven days as an emergency and the only updates I had were from him when he had recovered enough to phone with his needs for the rest of his stay.
So yes, from experience, normal.

What a horrible response. Why would you say that?

No, OP, it’s up to you to chase for information. It’s really unusual to be rung. I hope your mum is OK. The waiting is so difficult.

Thanks to everyone who made sympathetic and helpful comments. Going to get back on the phone now.

Calling a ward is a nightmare. You just have to keep trying but it can take.ages and multiple attempts. They are very understaffed. If you've tried a few times and can't get through you can tell reception who sometimes have an alternative extension to try, or worse case scenario call PALS who can usually get someone to call you, it doesn't need to be a complaint.

The surgeon called me after DH's surgery to update me but it was major, major surgery and DH was in no place to call anyone for a few days after his operation. With the more minor stuff I think he called me but I can't be 100% certain.

My husband has had a few operations over the past two or three years. Some serious, others smaller. Sometimes they’ve called me, other times I’ve called them. It depends how busy/understaffed they are. If they’re not answering the phone then they’re busy.

But I’d add that they’ve always rang me when it’s serious and they needed to contact me.

The nurse on the ward did say the surgeon would ring, but nothing yet.

Generally the surgeon will only call you if the surgery is major and you won't be at the hospital eg long surgery and induced coma following etc. For surgery when the patient can reasonably call you then rarely staff will call

My mother has dementia she can’t call me.

No 🤣. The patient rarely gets any info, never mind anyone else

No, you need to ring.

Getting through and getting info is very tricky.

I hope it went well.

You could do with asking what time the surgeon/medical team do their rounds and ask to go in then. I found it was the only way to get a proper story. (My dad was in hospital for 10 weeks in and amongst my husband’s stays!)

That's a very unkind response to someone who is obviously worried. You could have stopped after your first sentence instead if adding the bit about her mum not being a child.

Also, we found that they are very busy at certain times - like shift change (I think was 8pm and 8am, but obv varies), and medicine rounds etc.

I don't understand the wards don't have time answer. I'd have thought it was far more time efficient for them to call when it suits them than to have to field all the incoming calls, but yes, you need to call them

Thanks everyone, I just got through. Lovely nurse, no news yet. She said she will ring me when she gets any info but I am to call her again before I go to bed if I’d like to. Ward must be quieting down now. God bless the lovely nurses.