NHS - Time to privatise?

[Deleted User]

After this weekend I'd say its time to scrap it and start again. Seems to be populated with too many people who dont give a monkeys and there is zero accountability.

Dad had cateract operation last week. Hes got sight in just one eye. They operated on the other. 10am on Friday they sent him home.

Blind. Hes 81 and lives alone. He lives in a flat up stairs. Hes got more stairs to go the toilet. He can't see to cook food/make a cup of tea. He can't see the numbers to call someone on the phone. He can't read to take his medication. He certainly can't see the eyedrops hes supposed to take.

I saw him on saturday and have spent the whole weekend trying to get some help for him. I must have argued with/threatend 10 people. Standard response is "he should have stayed in hospital, its not out responsibility" (but the ward in question is closed at the weekend). Some of these people I wouldnt let look after my hamster.

Finally got something sorted Sunday evening. At last. What a fight to get that.

Today I have spoken to the ward manager of the ward he was on and asked why he was discharged in a state like this. Her answer "not our fault we close the weekend". And worse still "well he didnt say anything". Hes 81 years of age.

I'm definitely going to complain about this. Its just appalling that this is the state of the NHS in a civilised country.

Stevie_Palimo

Be grateful it was done for free and when you see a service bursting at the seems you cannot blame the front line staff about the situation, I think you need to address the real issue here and look at your fathers living arrangements and stop trying to blame others.

pollypenny

Very difficult, Paul, but you did know about the state of your father's health before his operation. Did you know that the ward closed at the weekend?

Perhaps you could have had him to stay with you for a few days.

I know from your other threads that he is very independent to the point of difficulty, but it's time to consider regular help or sheltered housing.

missbiggles1

It sounds more of a problem with social care than the NHS but why on earth didn't you make plans in advance for him? There are, obviously, elderly people with no family to look after them but that isn't the case here.

hollydays

I just would have thought they would have filled in some paperwork on admission arranging for him to be discharged with a next of kin. I am quite shocked this didn't seem to happen .

[Deleted User]

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

Be grateful it was done for free and when you see a service bursting at the seems you cannot blame the front line staff about the situation, I think you need to address the real issue here and look at your fathers living arrangements and stop trying to blame others.

Be grateful for a 3rd rate health service? Attitude like yours mean it will never change. Its crap but its free so you're not allowed to complain. Bend over and take it.

Yes you can blame frontline staff. They are professionals who have a duty. The profession does not need nurses like this.

As I said to the sister of the ward this morning, fine I'm not arguing with you, but we'll see what the NMC says about it. If your nurse can justify his/her actions then theres nothing to worry about is there? If they take a dim view then there may be consequences.

Keep_pedalling

I am due to take my elderly mother home from hospital later today, she also live alone and I know she is not really safe there despite having carers 4 times a day, but her problems are all to do with old age and the hospital can't do anything for her and they need the bed.

She really needs full time care but, she won't consider it so we struggle on with the constant worry of what may happen to her at night when there are is no one to help if she has yet another fall. It sounds like your father is in a similar position. We met with the social worker last week and as usual my mum insisted that she wants to go back to her bungalow and will be OK there even though I know she I scared to be on her own, but her fear of a care home overrides the fear of being alone.

I don't see how privatisation would do anything other than make things worse as far as care for the elderly is concerned. It is a social issue compounded by the fact that many elderly people stubbornly cling on to living in poorly maintained unsuitable homes

We have sworn that we won't put our kids through this. When this house get too much we will downsize, and will pay for any help / care we need. Quality of life is more important than clinging on to the past.

[Deleted User]

pollypenny wrote: »

Very difficult, Paul, but you did know about the state of your father's health before his operation. Did you know that the ward closed at the weekend?

Perhaps you could have had him to stay with you for a few days.

I know from your other threads that he is very independent to the point of difficulty, but it's time to consider regular help or sheltered housing.

His health was fine (apart from needing the op) beforehand. He is absolutely fine normally.

No-one from the ward even bothered to let me know (they had my number). I even spoke to them the night before to call me before he got discharged - they didnt bother.

[Deleted User]

missbiggles1 wrote: »

It sounds more of a problem with social care than the NHS but why on earth didn't you make plans in advance for him? There are, obviously, elderly people with no family to look after them but that isn't the case here.

I did. I spoke to ward beforehand and they assured me he would be kept until he was fit to go home.

Whoever was working that day obviously could not be bothered.

[Deleted User]

hollydays wrote: »

I just would have thought they would have filled in some paperwork on admission arranging for him to be discharged with a next of kin. I am quite shocked this didn't seem to happen .

Nope. His neighbour picked him up. And they knew he was going home alone.

[Deleted User]

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

I am due to take my elderly mother home from hospital later today, she also live alone and I know she is not really safe there despite having carers 4 times a day, but her problems are all to do with old age and the hospital can't do anything for her and they need the bed.

She really needs full time care but, she won't consider it so we struggle on with the constant worry of what may happen to her at night when there are is no one to help if she has yet another fall. It sounds like your father is in a similar position. We met with the social worker last week and as usual my mum insisted that she wants to go back to her bungalow and will be OK there even though I know she I scared to be on her own, but her fear of a care home overrides the fear of being alone.

I don't see how privatisation would do anything other than make things worse as far as care for the elderly is concerned. It is a social issue compounded by the fact that many elderly people stubbornly cling on to living in poorly maintained unsuitable homes

We have sworn that we won't put our kids through this. When this house get too much we will downsize, and will pay for any help / care we need. Quality of life is more important than clinging on to the past.

Thats so sad...

Luckily in my dads case he manages fine on his own normally. Apart from when he can't see after an op like this!

Which is why I'm so annoyed. A few more days in hospital (which he wouldnt have minded) or something sorted to visit him at home for a few days and he'd be sorted. But no they dump him blind unable to look after himself.