last week i got my father discharged from hospital, apparently he was medically fit but i knew as being his only son that he had suffered servere mental degredation since his submission to hospital 2 weeks earlier, to summarise he went in with a chest infection and delerium and still came out with delerium and received no additional drugs. however he complained whilst in hospital that he had pain in his elbow no one did anything, i got him home and found a severe swelling on hs elbow with a yellow green scap about 2 inches accros got out the local gp they gave him penicillin and now his mental state is returning and the swelling going down , it was very scary cos he acted like he had dementia and at times didnt even know me now he almost back 2 normal i very annoyed with the hospitals negligence at ignorring this issue how can i take it further
2006-12-05 08:26:13 · 12 answers · asked by johnny 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
There is no care in hospitals nowadays. This is a subject close to my heart after what they put my father through, but they act like a closed shop if you complain and they cover each others backs.
2006-12-05 08:29:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi im a nurse and the best people for who you need to speak with are P.A.L.S they are situated in all NHS hospitals. They will follow up your complaint and help you fill in forms and make sure something is done about it.
I worked in the NHS for 6 months and then left to go back to the private sector as its so bad.
Look into getting private medical insurance for your dad there are some good packages now.
It sounds like your dad had an infection in his elbow and you should ask what the infection was, it must have been a bad infection to have caused confusion.He may have also had a UTI (urine infection) that can cause severe confusion and delerium.
PALS will find out what the medical reason was for the confusion and will get to the bottom of the case for you. Give your hospital a call and they will give you the number and contact person.
Please complain as it all helps to hopefully another patient not being ill treated.
I hope your father gets well soon and if you need any other advice please email me any time
Good Luck Suzi x
2006-12-05 09:46:48 · answer #2 · answered by Suzan D 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Each hospital ward has a ward manager, start there, sending a copy of all correspondence, including witness statements etc to the hospital trust. That should get the boat moving. Make a note of all letters, phone calls and contacts with nurses Doctors etc. Do not back down (trust me at times you will feel like it) and keep every appointment made. It is a long and tough road but keep pushing and hopefully you will get the answers you require. Don't forget to include your fathers own GP informed of your complaint of the hospital treatment, he may come in useful as a very handy ally. Merry Christmas to you and your father and the very best of luck xx
2006-12-05 08:37:32 · answer #3 · answered by maria bartoninfrance 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is The Care Standards Commission and the hospital are obliged to give you their contact number I think. If not a solicitor may give you the number.
Some hospitals these days seem to have lost their caring side and are only to interested in keeping within the budget.
Bring back the Matrons and get rid of the accountants. Hope you get some satisfaction, Good Luck.
2006-12-05 08:39:00 · answer #4 · answered by dollybird 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a general complaint contact PALS through the hospital. If it's against specific nursing staff write to the NMC and if it's against a specific doctor the GMC. You can get the addresses from google. Best wishes xx
2006-12-07 06:48:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know your Dad's age, but you said he had some signs of delirium when he was admitted to the hospital. Did he have his normal/regular doctor or somone from the hospital....if he was showing dementia signs, he probably wasn't able to tell the hospital/doctors about the elbow. You might consult a medical-malpractice atty, but don't ever think you or your family will be welcome at the hospital or doctor again.
2006-12-05 08:30:47 · answer #6 · answered by SUZI S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Confusion often accompanies infections in older people and it's appropriate to treat the infection, not to 'zap' them with 'additional' (psychoactive?) drugs. Its a shame your dad hurt his elbow. What do you want the staff to do? It is common for elderly people, especially when confused, to be at risk of falling over. But, with the best will in the world, you cant provide 100% protection against that, short of strapping all the patients to their beds.
2006-12-05 08:45:07 · answer #7 · answered by . 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you shouldnt take it further. The NHS is taxed enough at this moment. Your complaint will be pushed downstream by bad managers to someone who has no idea why this happened, to someone who has to deal with this kind of things every day. I see it all the time.
I hope that your Father becomes well again soon :-)
2006-12-05 08:31:34 · answer #8 · answered by ~Mustaffa~Laff~ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The hospital should have a quality assurance program where they will listen to you and review his charts this person or department should be able to help you.
2006-12-05 08:30:34 · answer #9 · answered by Lindsey J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact a lawyer and let him know what happened. Look up personal injury lawyer as the lawyers could tell you more. You only have 1 year up to the date you noticed something happened to your dad. Write down everything from what happened tp the date and what he got from it and the time that you noticed becuase if you have a case they will want all that information.
2006-12-05 08:33:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋