My Husband had a serious Accident at work Advice Needed

elsien

You might be able to claim universal credit alongside statutory sick pay which would help with the housing element.  It’s worth checking out. This site has a benefit calculator which would give you a rough idea. 

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Statutory-Sick-Pay/How-much-Statutory-Sick-Pay-will-I-get

Placitasgirl

It was about 4 weeks after his surgery that hubby could climb the stairs... he had exercises to do after his operation that prepared him for this gently and slowly. 

I think it's vital that the teams of staff caring for your husband are aware of your home and family circumstances as these can and should be taken into account when making care plans/discharge plans during his time in hospital. You absolutely must be involved in these discussions. Ask to speak to the ward manager when you're visiting and to be informed when OT's/Physios etc will be available to speak with you. 

I'm sorry to hear you have so much on your plate right now, and being involved in decision making in the coming weeks and months is going to be key to getting access to the help and support you'll need as hubby recuperates and recovers. Wishing you all the very best. 

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately my husband has been moved to a different ward where other patients have tested positive for COVID. I'm shocked that they are still admitting patients to wards when other patients have COVID.

Any way because of this they are not allowing visitors so can no longer go and visit him so can't speak to anyone in person.

I was speaking to my husband earlier on phone and he has lied to drs and physio and has told them he has a bed downstairs and can sleep downstairs. And is pushing for them to send him home.

He won't listen to me, just wants to come home and says he will sleep on sofa even though it's not suitable. He isn't giving any thought to any one but him self.

He is unfortunately also in denial, he think a broken hip is nothing and that he will be back to normal and back to work in a week or so. 


I feel so angry.

When I try and explain that I don't think it's suitable to come home as there is no where for him to sleep downstairs and that I don't know how I will cope. He just tries to make me feel bad. 

If I phone will they speak to me on phone.
Despite being my husbands next of kin and asking my husband to give hospital my number. 

I have had no contact from Hospital in the whole time since he has been admitted. Not one phone call.

I have tried to speak to someone the last 2 days when visiting but they have been too busy or no one around and they throw you out after 1 hour. 

I have tried phoning but previous ward never answered the phone.

I'll keep trying to phone new ward see if I can get through.

Thanks again for your advice 

Savvy_Sue

One thing he should ask for, his GP after discharge if not arranged before he leaves hospital, is a bone density scan. People think of easily broken bones / osteoporosis as an older women's problem: it is not. There is treatment and it can be reversed, but you have to know about it first.

elsien

Next of kin has no meaning in law. They have to respect your husband’s confidentiality and cannot share any details without his consent. Or phone you if he tells them not to. 
However that does not stop you sending information the other way. So keep phoning, ask to speak to a doctor or ward sister and tell them your concerns.
Hospital wards can be dreadful for answering the phone. Maybe try to catch them at 9.30 after breakfast and before ward rounds. And just keep trying - it may take a lots of calls before someone answers. 

You could also try to get through to physio via reception if you are struggling with the ward. 

Share not just the impact on him but also that you cannot provide the care that he says you can, and explain why. They may need to be non/commital in their responses but that doesn’t mean they are not taking it on board. 

Bottom line though, if your husband makes an unwise decision to discharge himself they can’t prevent him.
Have you been upfront with him about how selfish you think he is being? Brutal honesty may be what’s needed here. 

Own_Worst_Enermy

Don’t be to angry at your husband- it is natural to think a magic wand is coming out on your way home - I tried to discharge myself after the mri and after 3 weeks would have done anything, but the wand didn’t come out.

Instead I decided to rebel and fell over. Spent over an hour trying to get up. And had to clear my sick up next morning with a shiner of a bruise to prove it. Days later I found out through the support group any more falls could be problematic to long term recovery so it made me see sense.

Hopefully physio will make him see sense. One time I’ve been glad to live in a ground floor flat. I was belligerent I wouldn’t have to do steps could avoid them, something I regretted, now doing it with physio all these weeks on. I haven’t wanted to get in a car and drive either and I loved driving. 

Could you see if there are any rental mobility companies who could loan you a single bed. 

He will be in for a shock, sorry for your troubles. 

Jude57

You could also try speaking to your local Council's Adaptations team. They deal with all kinds of adaptations not just installing handrails or ramps. They can arrange an assessment of your home and provide equipment that may be helpful as your husband recovers. They might also be able to contact your landlord about the repairs needed to put the downstairs shower room back into usable condition.

[Deleted User]

I just wanted to say thanks again everyone for your replies they have been much appreciated and a great help.

I also wanted to give a update and and hope I can get some more advice.

Firstly after talking to my husband more he says he definitely remembers tripping on something, he felt himself knock something lowdown before he fell to floor.

He thinks it was possibly a low drawer left open in another chefs section of kitchen.

He says he went to get a pan he needed to cook something and on his way back he noticed 3 chefs standing in the way where he normally walks to get back to his section and it was very crowded. So he took a different route around kitchen to get back to his section, which meant walking through another chefs section.

He tripped and fell to floor, like said he thinks it was was a low drawer left open or something low down. It happened so quick that he can't say for sure what he tripped on but that he definitely tripped on some thing.

Also as he was carrying a rather large pan it would have obscured him from seeing any hazards low down or on the floor. 

We have been told that the chef who's section it was where my husband fell was made to do health and safety training on Tuesday. 

Also don't know if it's relevant but after my husband fell, instead of leaving him where he was until Ambulance arrived, they moved him to a sofa which caused alot of pain and discomfort.

My husband says he wishes he had not been moved as he was in less pain and more comfortable on floor than on sofa and feels they probably did more damage moving him.

Should they have moved him. I was always under the impression that if some one has a fall or any Injury you should not move them as moving them can make injury worse. You should keep the casualty calm and wait for ambulance to arrive and let paramedics stablize injury. Am I wrong ?

My husband is now home. I tried to speak to physio and the rest of team looking after him before discharge, but they were not interested and would not listen.

They discharged my husband Monday afternoon with no warning.

Even my husband didn't want to come home so soon he did not feel ready. They were short on beds and had a emergency come in  so had to discharge him early, he was meant to stay in at least 1 more week.

They sent him home in a ambulance to a house with nothing in place and no support.

He could not get on bed or sit down on sofa and could not even get on toilet as are toilets are so low. 

They just brought him home and left him, did not even check if home was suitable.

I had to rush out and buy alot of equipment which I could not really afford, to be able to take care of him,  a toilet riser, furniture risers, hand rails, urine bottles for night time, wheel chair, shower stool,  and more because they would not supply any thing. Despite me asking.

They gave him a big bag of medications but no instructions as to what had to be taken when or what they were. Had to ring hospital to find out.

He needs alot of help right now every day. I'm having to help him wash, dress, I have to help him get to and from bathroom to go to toilet. He can't get to bathroom by him self.

I'm not going to lie it is hard work and I am struggling to look after him and our 4 children at same time, but not much I can do.

Just hope he recovers well and fairly quickly.

Should I be able to get help or is this really the state of the NHS now that they don't care and supply no support or equipment.

Any advice much appreciated

Again thanks in advance 

Savvy_Sue

Red Cross would have been able to lend equipment.

It sounds appalling. 

What follow up / aftercare has been arranged?

[Deleted User]

No follow up/aftercare has been arranged so far. My husband was told they would phone me at some point.

They gave him a kit and tools  told us to remove staples next Monday or Tuesday.

We won't I'll contact our GP to come out and do it.
There is no way I'm doing it or my husband we are not medically trained.

It's rediculous.