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Some confusion with care for other health needs

Posted By Open91

"Some confusion with care for other health needs"

About: Central Lancashire PCT / Community nursing

(as a friend),

My friend has breathing difficulties, dementia and is hard of hearing because he needs his ears syringed. The community matron said that he needed to be reassessed because of his dementia, as it was difficult for her to treat him. How does he obtain care for his ears in the meantime, whilst he is waiting to be reassessed? The matron provides very good care but there is just some confusion about how patients with dementia receive care for other health needs. As a friend I make sure I am present when the nurses visit, so that I can explain everything to them.

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Responses

Response from Julie-Ann Bowden, Clinical Quality and Assurance Manager, NHS Central Lancashire 15 years ago
Julie-Ann Bowden
Clinical Quality and Assurance Manager,
NHS Central Lancashire

Submitted on 18/02/2009 at 13:03
Published on Care Opinion on 19/02/2009 at 00:00

Dear Open91

The role of the Community Matron is to act as your friend's single point of contact in relation to healthcare, advice and support. In relation to the ear syringing I would expect that your Matron would be able to provide help and guidance as to how your friend can get the care and treatment he may need. It is important that, particularly with a condition such as dementia, that your friend has his ears examined by a healthcare professional and this could be done through his GP practice.

I think it is important that you do discuss this with your Matron, if you have not done so already. If you are experiencing problems and feel that you need more support and advice in relation to your role as carer, you can also contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service at NHS Central Lancashire. They can provide information, advice and support as well as signpost you to other services or organisations that may be able to help.

Thank you for posting your experience of the service that your friend has received. I will make sure that the Community Matron team are aware of the comments that have been made.

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