This is a message from my mother regarding my brother who has serious mental illness and is currently in hospital to treat a deep infection in his knee which has arisen because he neglects his health and did not take antibiotics previously so his knee got worse. He is at risk of leg amputation if the antibiotics fail.
"Rang the hospital today. They said he was likely to be discharged tomorrow. I asked if the infection had gone and they said he would be on antibiotics. I rang [home care provider] and they said they did not 'do' discharges over the week end. I explained that he had no food and I would not be there (She is visiting another family member). They said the hospital would have to make arrangements. I rang the hospital back and they said they did not have the beds. I said there was a possibility he would need reminding every day to take the antibiotics. they said that was outside their remit or words to that effect. Then his carer rang (the one that does most of the work). She said she had left [provider]. She offered to go over to his tomorrow and make sure he had food. I will ring the hospital to see if he is definitely being discharged. Hopefully if he takes the antibiotics he will be clear of the infection, or maybe not. "
My brother lives alone in a 2nd floor flat without a lift. He is wheelchair bound and depends on carers to clean and cook for him. I find it astonishing that the trust feel they can discharge him without consideration of his needs and the agreement of my mother, his main carer.
"Poor discharge planning"
About: Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Huddersfield HD3 3EA
Posted by StressedSister (as ),
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Update posted by StressedSister (a relative) 8 years ago