My Dad has been in hospital for a full week...

[Pebblepoppy]

Apparently just waiting for a scan.

He seems pretty well in himself but has a lot of pain in his leg.

He phoned 111 last week and they actually sent a GP out to see him. GP told him to go to A&E as he needs a scan, and if he referred him it would take weeks.

So, he spent more than 24 hours in A&E, where he had blood tests and an xray, all clear. Then he spent almost a day on a trolley in the ward before a bed was found.

This is now a full week ago and afaik there's no actual reason for him to be in hospital, but they're telling him he can't leave, or if he does, it could be weeks/months before he gets any help. He's in pain when he tries to move, but OK when he's still, and is refusing pain relief, so he's not even there for pain management. If im honest, on that basis, I do wonder just how bad his pain is, and I guess so must the staff.

My Mum is convinced they're keeping him in because they expect to find something awful on the scan, I suspect it's just inefficiency, but WTAF? This ridiculous for everyone.

That said, is it possible they're expecting awful news when he does get the scan?

We had this. DD2 had deranged liver enzymes. She felt fine, but needed an ultrasound. The GP had ordered one but the hospital doctors wanted it sooner. They weren't allowed to bring the outpatient scan forward, so they had to book an inpatient one. She wasn't allowed home, wasn't allowed on home leave, and wasn't allowed a home visit, because she'd lose the bed. So she had to sit in hospital for 4 days before the scan happened.

They must think he's unwell.enough to be in hospital. There could be a number of reasons why he's in pain so best that he stays there until the scan is done. It may or may not be anything serious but they won't know until the scan results.

They wouldn't have him blocking a bed if he can go home and doesn't need a care package. They must know he needs to stay until the results. It is kind of inefficient also, so there may be a few days where he is waiting for something.

I blocked a bed in an ortho ward for a month! But that's another story

I don't know. The staff on the ward are telling him he's not ill enough to be there (nicely) but there's nothing to be done to bring the scan forward, no one knows when he might get it.

Perhaps there's a reason he's been there so long, the cost and inefficiency is staggering.

it sounds like they are trying to "beat the system"
i hope he can keep his spirits up op

It does sound like that, but surely this kind of carry on just adds to the chaos in the system?

It’s madness.

Does he want to go home? Why won’t he take pain medication?

What are they looking for in the scan?

He's always been funny about pain meds. Worried about addiction and constipation, both of which are valid concerns.

The most recent consultant has told.him they suspect a torn muscle, which I'm sure is painful but hardly a reason to be filling a hospital bed?

He had cancer a few years ago, so naturally initial concerns were something to do with that returning, but apparently blood tests have ruled that out.

In that case it does seem like a classic bed block. It's annoying but I guess just be thankful he isn't actually gravely unwell.

I was 'discharged' from my ortho trauma bed after a week but they were insisting I went to another hospital which had no beds, so I was stuck there for four more weeks! While other elderly ladies were kicked out when they were barely mobile post hip surgery. It is annoying.

I hope he's got a tablet, and plenty of puzzles, books and visitors. And a Deliveroo account! The food is enough to send you loopy!