48 hours post stroke and hasn’t made it to the stroke ward yet

[c25f]

Evening all,

On Sunday morning I suspected a family member was likely having a stroke and got them an ambulance. Long story short, after spending Sunday afternoon in A&E I was unfortunately proved right. A mild stroke causing speech difficulties, along with a serious chest infection and some heart problems have also been identified. So they need a lot of care and are quite unwell.

My relative spent last night and this morning in A&E as no ward beds were available. This afternoon, they were transferred to a different A&E triage area of the hospital. We are now as I type approx 48 hours post stroke and there is no sign of them being admitted to the stroke ward.

Apparently specialists such as physio and OT have done an initial assessment on my relative, but they can’t access additional support until they are on the ward

My relative has very little appetite, which turns out to be good in a way - because they are still classed as being in A&E, they are not being offered meals!

I emailed PALS with my concerns this afternoon but no reply by close of business hours.

How ‘bad’ is this? Is it unusual? Should I be kicking up more of a fuss to get my relative onto the stroke ward? All advice appreciated, thank you.

That's absolutely horrendous! I'm so so sorry that your relative isn't being given even the basic care they deserve.

I'd ask to speak to the sister of A&E and ask what the plan is to get them onto a ward and properly treated.

My dying relative - cancer- spent 18 hours in A and E slumped in a wheelchair after being dropped off by an ambulance. They were unable to advocate for themselves and triage was not relevant- there was no treatment for them, they needed to be on a ward in a bed. Finally they were admitted and died 3 days later. Shocking sad and awful.

How old is your relative OP? A relative of mine mid 40’s was told he’d had a mild stroke and was pretty much sent on their way. No admission to stroke ward. Not sure of the full ins and outs but we were all surprised

Did they get the treatment in time at least?

To clarify, no more triaging needs to take place. They simply needed his original bed in the main area of A&E…

Oh, I'm so sorry.

My mum had similar on two occasions with an 18 hour wait and a 22 hour wait. Obviously 48 hours is more than double, but sadly it does not surprise me if that's how much the situation has deteriorated.

did they find a blood clot or anything? Is your relative on IV antibiotics for the chest infection?

I think this is happening more and more often now.

my grandfather was taken into a&e for pneumonia and suspected stroke (confirmed after) and it took 3 days for him to get a physical bed in a&e. He was on a chair until then. We went a bit mad but unfortunately there were no beds so that was that! PALS ext agreed it was terrible but no solution to be had. A week later he was finally on the ward! He was very poorly by then and the wait definitely did him no favours.

hope they get a bed soon!!

I didn’t realise A&E would have a sister. I’ll attempt to contact them in the morning. Thank you for the suggestion.

@c25f yes A&E always have sisters. I really hope you get it sorted xx

I feel you. DM spent 23 hours in A&E after a heart attack. Was then moved to a respiratory ward for 10 days as no room on a cardiac ward. Whole thing is a shit show. I don't have a good word to say about the NHS tbh.

Who is with our relative advocating for them?

Has there been any progress?