My 80 year old Mother-In-Law was taken to A&E after falling out of bed at a local care home whilst having a respite break. Thus causing her to break her hip. Our concerns were that she may have suffered another stroke ( she has Vascular Dementia) caused by a Stroke in 2004, when she also fell out of bed.
We raised our concerns about the possibility of her having another stroke which may have been the cause of her falling out of bed in the first place.
I understand that with Vascular Dementia, the patient experiences mini strokes or T. I. A'S often, but we felt as if we were not being listened too. We were hoping they would send her for some type of scan to confirm or deny the presence of another Stroke, A broken hip was obvious so that is all they concentrated on.
The staff were polite whilst we sat at the bedside. It just niggles me that our concerns fell on deaf ears. Her dementia is 200% worse. The day before she went into hospital you could have at least a coherent conversation with her. Over a period of 48hours, she is a shadow of her former self, sleeps most of the day and when she is awake she just sits and stares. She is now three weeks post op.
Her care on Nason Ward post op was a little disapointing, My Mother-in-law was served food and fluids, which was left on a table which was out of her reach. Because had not eaten or drunk, staff assumed she did not want it and removed it. My Mother-in-law indicated to us that she was thirsty.
Response's to requests for a bedpan were she will have to wait we are busy. Half an hour or so later was too late. By this time, Mother-in-law was lying in a soiled bed.
Though the Ward was seriously understaffed, the majority of staff were Health Care Assistants who tried their best to cope I suppose. I even overheard some members of staff commenting that on Staff levels for a particular shift.
Positive comments - A&E gave quick pain relief of opiates, quick Xray to confirm broken hip. Operated within 36 hours. Nice hip repair job.
Negative comments -Appeared to be unconcerned about our fears that a stroke might have taken place. Head scan was not offered to confirm either way the presence of a new stroke.
Drinking beakers were not in reach of patient. Because a person with Dementia does not eat their food does not always mean they are not hungry. They forget the meal is there or forget how to feed them selves. All it takes is a little hand feeding to resolve problem.
P. S -The lady who transported my Mother-in-law to her New Care home was very rude according to Care Home Staff. Turns out mother-in-law may have been a little aggressive in temperament due to her Dementia and pain. This lady whoever she was refused to help move mother-in-law from trolley to bed. Yes, I know this kind of patient may be difficult, but surely Ambulance staff are trained on how to handle patient's with varying degrees of needs. If not then I suggest they are given additional training.
The Ambulance crew who transferred my Mother-in-law to hospital at time of injury were faultless. Thank you.
"A & E Dementia Patient With Broken Hip."
About: George Eliot Hospital - Acute Services / Accident and emergency George Eliot Hospital - Acute Services Accident and emergency Nuneaton CV10 7DJ George Eliot Hospital - Acute Services / Trauma and orthopaedics George Eliot Hospital - Acute Services Trauma and orthopaedics CV10 7DJ West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust Brierley Hill DY5 1LX
Posted by Nuneaton carer (as ),
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