Ready to leave hospital???

Person_one

Mojisola wrote: »

Are you sure about this? No-one can accurately say that someone will die within two weeks.

My uncle was in our local hospice for a couple of months. Other patients were coming and going for respite, others were in and out while medications were sorted out and others were there for terminal care.

Most hospices will only admit someone as an inpatient if they are very close to the end of their life, days rather than weeks. Some will even send patients home or to a nursing home if they haven't died within the two weeks, as long as its safe and appropriate.

growler834

Hi again Ruby,

Does your mum's hospital have PALS? If so, have you spoken to them?

'The Patient Advice and Liaison Service, known as PALS, has been introduced to ensure that the NHS listens to patients, their relatives, carers and friends, and answers their questions and resolves their concerns as quickly as possible'.

Also, make sure you point out to the hospital staff that "they have a duty of care to facilitate a safe discharge". They will want that 'duty of care' to be transferred to Social Services once your mum is no longer an inpatient but the buck stops with them at the moment.

Mojisola

growler834 wrote: »

Also, make sure you point out to the hospital staff that "they have a duty of care to facilitate a safe discharge". They will want that 'duty of care' to be transferred to Social Services once your mum is no longer an inpatient but the buck stops with them at the moment.

Putting these things in writing - and keeping copies yourself - always helps. If there is a paper trail, it focusses minds.

Your mother should not be sent home because the hospital needs the bed. There should be a multi-displinary meeting involving the family, the hospital, Social Services, physios/OTs, mental health nurse, etc - anyone who has had or should have an input into an elderly patient's care.

Flugelhorn

I don't think the OP has stated that mum has cancer, there are other conditions eg heart failure, COPD, CKD that lead to palliative care being needed. Often though the focus is on cancer with hospices and macmillan etc. Although hospices do care for patients with other conditions it is patchy throughout the country and there may be less focussed care available.

I also am not sure that expecting the hospital to do something against the patient's expressed wishes is a) a good idea b) possible. I look after a fair few people in a community hospital from time to time and the management of their discharge to wherever is a matter for a multi disciplinary team + the family + the patient - sometimes there are disagreements and these have to be resolved by careful negotiation. Common one is family / patient wanting a specific res / nursing home but that place being unable to cope with their needs - trouble is if they go to the wrong place and it all collapses then it is back to square one.

verynewmoneysaver

My Mum was sent to respite in a nursing home for six weeks so that she could get out of hospital and things could be sorted out a bit more. The NHS can fund this if they think it's necessary and it allows them to free up a bed. My Mum has severe heart failure.

Ruby_woo

Hi everyone

Thank you for all for your replies. I'm sorry that I haven't replied sooner. All the hospital wanted was to get their bed back and they got their wish...I am now arranging a funeral.

Everyday was a battle with the hospital. Xxx

troubleinparadise

Oh, Rubywoo, I'm so sorry about your poor mum, and that you have had to endure this dreadful stress.

Please look after yourself - I'm sure you are exhausted by all that has happened, and are probably running on adrenaline and autopilot just now, but give yourself a break when it is possible and remember to eat to keep your strength up.

Take care x

CH27

Ruby_woo wrote: »

Hi everyone

Thank you for all for your replies. I'm sorry that I haven't replied sooner. All the hospital wanted was to get their bed back and they got their wish...I am now arranging a funeral.

Everyday was a battle with the hospital. Xxx

I am so sorry xx

poet123

I am really sorry to hear that, I know how you must be feeling as I have been there. I don't think I will ever get over it, and it was 12 years ago now. Look after yourself and try to remember that you did your best and that it is the system that is flawed and the vulnerable within the system that it often fails.

thorsoak

Ruby_woo wrote: »

Hi everyone

Thank you for all for your replies. I'm sorry that I haven't replied sooner. All the hospital wanted was to get their bed back and they got their wish...I am now arranging a funeral.

Everyday was a battle with the hospital. Xxx

I am so sorry to read this Ruby - my condolences to you and your family. Please take care of yourselves - your mum will live on in your hearts x {{hugs}}