so upset and angry

fbh

Something happened at work last week and I am really struggling to deal with it.

I was at a clients house and his medical equipment wasn't working and his state of health at the time was worrying me so I called my office.

Me: Hi *** I've got a bit of a problem
***: Oh god, what is it
Me: I'm at... and the equipment is broken do I ring the number on the box?
***: (starts laughing) Thank god for that I thought you were going to tell me you couldn't work a shift.... Not good for client obviously but yer just ring the number and see what they say.
Me: OK, I'll call you back and update

So I ring the emergency number on the box after speaking to the nurse and my client continuing to deteriorate it's decided we call an ambulance.

So I ring the Next of Kin and leave a message to ring the office (didn't want to leave a panicky voicemail for them)

I then ring back the office

Me: It's me again there is an ambulance on it's way, I've rung the next of kin and left a message, so I am just going to stay put now until the paramedics are here.
***: Stay put?
Me: Yes
***: It's fine if the ambulance is coming just write everything in the book and your covered you cant be late for your next call.
Me: :eek:
***: Who is your next call?
Me: (Blah Blah)
***: Oh you definitely can't be late for that, just write in the book and go.
Me: I'm staying here, I won't be late (Lies but I wasn't about to leave this client!)
***: Ok well if you are still there when the paramedic gets there, just ask them if they are taking client in or get them to ring the office so I know whether to send in the tea call.

I did wait for the ambulance and checked with the paramedic if I was ok to move on to my next job (was 20 mins late) but as soon as I got out of the building I burst into tears. I cannot believe someone could be so heartless to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

If I had of left the client and they'd died it would be me that was in the stink listening to that complete pillock.

The client is still in hospital

I've not been there long and so many things have happened in this short span of time that have really bothered me. I really cannot face going back to work tomorrow (I will because I have to but I am shaking at the thought of it)

Oh and to add, the client I was late for has another carer in from 8.30am until 6pm everyday so they were not alone and it was only a toilet call *** knows this!

mazza111

Huggles to you. They should have runners in place for when this type of crisis arises. Although you will probably be pulled up about it, unfortunately. Seems the ones in the offices these days can't seem to organise getting cover when these types of emergency arise

SailorSam

You're in a no-win position, it seems your boss is more concerned that you get to the next job rather than caring for the clients.

FBaby

I cannot believe someone could be so heartless to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Not, but thankfully there are still people like you who have a heart.

maman

I think you definitely acted correctly and caringly. Well done.

There's been a lot of bad publicity about the timing of home visits lately.

Is there anyone in your organisation you can speak to about what's happened? I'm not suggesting 'whistle blowing' over this one incident. What I'd do is say 'this happened and I felt I should stay until the paramedic arrived. I'm new, was I doing the right thing?'

pollypenny

OP, you definitely did the right thing.

You could ask your supervisor if there is a protocol in place for this type of thing. Surely, with elderly people who need care, there's every chance that on might need urgent medical help.

indsty

First, good for you for following your instinct. The sad thing is that many people like you (the good carers) get so frustrated and upset that they cannot care properly for their clients. That leads to them leaving and the number of skilled, experienced staff gets so depleted that the standards just drop. Do go back to work - always do the best you can for your clients - but keep your own health in mind as well - leave if you have to.

Person_one

Of course you needed to stay! The person working in your office needs a bit of training, if not the sack.

If your patient had deteriorated, you might have needed to call 99 again and be talked through how to help, you needed to be able to tell the paramedics their medical history and what had happened quickly. Did they expect you to leave the door wide open for the ambulance crew to get in?

barbiedoll

OP, you need to keep a log of incidents like this, use what you have written in your post but keep it factual, i.e. times, dates, and exactly what was said by the person in the office.

I would strongly suggest that you join a union as soon as possible. I know that you are probably on low wages and it can seem like an extra expense that you don't need right now but it will pay for itself if incidents like this become a regular occurrence (which they possibly will)

My best friend does the same job as you and she was having the same problems with an inept office manager. She complained and was basically called a liar. She kept a log, joined the union and to cut a long story short, the office manager was "moved sideways" and soon afterwards, left the company. The majority of her colleagues, who were also having problems with this individual, also joined the union. They do still have problems occasionally with staff absence and no cover but things have improved a great deal.

There's only one person who is not doing their job properly here and it isn't you!

sukysue

Good for you op pity more your boss didn't take a leaf out of your book well done!

Yorkie1

I have a friend who does the same job as the OP. I agree that it was right for the OP to stay put, but sometimes there is a need for the next call to be done on time if it's for medication such as diabetes. Yes, that should be for the employer to sort out, but I just wanted to flag that it isn't always cut and dried.