Number of blankets NHS hospitals provide

moneyistooshorttomention

My father is in an NHS hospital at present and is cold - because they've only given him their standard one (!!!!!!!!!:eek:) blanket they provide patients with.

I'm at the other end of the country - or I would "ask" very firmly for the rest of the blankets he needs. My mother isn't very likely to tell them they will provide more (whatever way one phrases it).

Also - being other end of country means I can't just go in and loan a couple of my duvets to the NHS for his benefit myself - and, obviously, duly ignore any "You can't do that" statements they tried to make to me.

Any suggestions as to how to deal with them and ensure they do provide him with adequate bedding please? Given that my mother won't fight them like I would.....

PasturesNew

There is a group of people at hospitals calls PALS. Patient something or other Liaison Service or similar.

They do that bit about "joining up the patient end with the delivery end" - and can advise you what can be done to sort out the blanket situation... and they'll probably do it/organise it etc.

Try them first as they are in-house and are tasked to deal with "odd, unusual situations where people need a bit of help, questions answering and the system explaining".

If it's near me I'll go and get one and pop it over .... and do a daily "check up" service if you want

Mojisola

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

My father is in an NHS hospital at present and is cold - because they've only given him their standard one (!!!!!!!!!:eek:) blanket they provide patients with.

Any suggestions as to how to deal with them and ensure they do provide him with adequate bedding please? Given that my mother won't fight them like I would.....

Phone up PALS at the hospital and explain the situation.

It's very difficult if neither the patient or the main visitor will say anything - how are the nurses to know that he is cold?

[Deleted User]

Get your mother to bring in an old blanket?
Phone the ward and nicely talk to the nurse in charge?

Don't 'fight' them. Be nice. They deal with enough on a day to day basis. Sort it out with your mother to bring in some old spare bedding.. or ask if they've got some spare blankets.

comeandgo

Last time I was in hospital I asked the staff for another blanket, I did not need to be rude or demanding. It was given within minutes. Sometimes being nice gets better results than being demanding.

BorisThomson

Hospitals tend to be overly warm, for some one blanket is enough. If it's not, you simply need to ask the nurse or the HCA that does your observations. No one is going to object to your father asking.

Turning up with your own blankets would not be helpful. Not only is there the fire hazard consideration, but also what germs you may be bringing in. Plus there's absolutely no need to go to such fuss when all they need to do is ask!

moneyistooshorttomention

PasturesNew wrote: »

There is a group of people at hospitals calls PALS. Patient something or other Liaison Service or similar.

They do that bit about "joining up the patient end with the delivery end" - and can advise you what can be done to sort out the blanket situation... and they'll probably do it/organise it etc.

Try them first as they are in-house and are tasked to deal with "odd, unusual situations where people need a bit of help, questions answering and the system explaining".

If it's near me I'll go and get one and pop it over .... and do a daily "check up" service if you want

That is very very kind of you Pastures to offer:T.

I suspect you're some distance away from him I'm afraid - but will bear it in mind in case I'm wrong on that.

That Pals suggestion is a good one. I'll start with that thought....

kazwookie

How about rining up the ward and asking on behalf oof your father for another blanket.

No need to fight them, nursing staff put up with enough c**p from all sorts, just ask nicely

indesisiv

Its not about making a fuss. Just get one of your parents to say to a nurse, could I please get another blanket. They will then go and get one.

No need for PALS, or confrontation. If people don't say they are cold then how are the nurses supposed to know? Most people in hospital tend to only need a sheet nevermind a blanket as the rooms are so warm!

trailingspouse

Essential that someone tells the staff. Feeling cold could be a symptom of other underlying conditions (eg poor circulation), or if he's alternately hot and cold there could be an infection.

Why can't your mother do this? Although she might not fight them like you would (!!), I'm sure she's perfectly capable of asking nicely.

moneyistooshorttomention

Thanks all.

sorted now - he's got his extra blankets.

It would so help if nursing staff just asked patients (in detail) how they're feeling:cool:.

Anyway - done now.