This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Delivery of patient home from hospital and lack of care

Posted By jupiterpd33

"Delivery of patient home from hospital and lack of care"

About: Daisy Hill Hospital / Emergency Department Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Patient care services

(as a service user),

My Dad in his 70's was taken to ED on Monday late am via ambulance bus.  All went well for Dad and there obviously was a decision that he could return home early the next morning.  My Mum also in her 70's got at phone call at 5 am in the morning to advise that dad would be coming home.  My mother subsequently tripped, which resulted in a fractured hip, between the phone call and Dad being delivered home at between 5.30 am and 6.00 am.  

Mum managed to get into dads wheelchair which was in the hall and advised the the drivers who left dad home that she had hurt her hip.  They advised her that they could not do anything and that she needed to call an ambulance and subsequently led dad into his seat and left. This left Mum in great distress.  Dad may seem to be ok but requires 24 hour care and mum was left in a very vulnerable position.  

I don't dispute that whoever left Dad home could not provide medical care for mum but as a duty of care for an elderly person I feel that they could at least either contact the ambulance service or waited with her until she contacted a family member to come to the house to assist her and my father.

I would like to enquire why was my elderly dad sent home so early in the morning and I feel this and the telephone call assisted in disorientating my mother and subsequently led to her falling and fracturing her hip.

The family are now left with a lot of emotional distress as mum has had to have an operation. We are all having to juggle work life and family life to provide 24/7 care for Dad and he is having to go into Respite care in order for mum to recuperate which is causing upset for both of them.   The family have been left with a lot of organising an planning in order to provide the best care for both parent all due to an early morning call

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Neil Gillan, Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 3 months ago
Neil Gillan
Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Submitted on 17/01/2024 at 11:10
Published on Care Opinion at 11:10

picture of Neil Gillan

Good morning jupiterpd33,

My name is Neil Gillan and I am the Co-production Partnership Lead within the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, where I lead on the development and delivery of an organisation wide approach to Patient Client Experience.

I am grateful to you for taking the time to share your experiences of the Service. From the outset, I would like to apologise to you and your family for any distress caused. As an organisation we aim to consistently show compassion, professional and respect for the patients we care for, we regret that this was not the experience for your mother or father and are sorry that we did not achieve the standards that we aim for.

I would like the opportunity to discuss this matter further with you, if you are able and when the time is right for you, please contact me directly on 07880022791 or neil.gillan@nias.hscni.net.

I hope you mother is recuperating and I would be grateful if you would pass on my best wishes.

Yours sincerely

Neil

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Paul Smyth, Interim Head of Service Emergency Departments, Acute & Emergency Medicine, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 2 months ago
Paul Smyth
Interim Head of Service Emergency Departments, Acute & Emergency Medicine,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 13/02/2024 at 15:13
Published on Care Opinion at 15:13

Dear jupiterpd33​

Thank you for your feedback, We are sorry for your family’s experience. We are not sure if you are referring to the drivers that left your father home. This may be ambulance service or a private ambulance crew tasked with bringing patients home.

I am not able to advise who took the decision to send your father home as we have no details such as his name.

Please feel free to contact the Trust Complaints team by:



Trust Corporate Complaints Officer Trust Headquarters Craigavon Area Hospital Or Email: complaints@southerntrust.hscni.net Telephone: (028) 38614150

Paul Smyth

Acting Head of Service

Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Unit
Tel: 02837566820
Internal extension: 66820
Mobile: 07824338517
Email: paul.smyth@southerntrust.hscni.net

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k