Who Do I Ask?

[horseshoes]

Just over 3 weeks ago my Mum had a very nasty fall, completely dislocating her shoulder and fracturing her femur. She's had screws and a plate ? While in hospital she got moved around quite a bit and while she was on the surgical ward she only saw a physiotherapist once very briefly. She was moved to a Vascular/ENT ward where they didn't change her dressing once and didn't get any physiotherapy. One of HCA said the medical nurses won't change dressings from a surgical ward!!! She came home with NO instructions on what to do and what not to do. After being home a week, she had a phone call from a physiotherapist asking how shw was getting on and what regime she was following and was horrified when she said she hadn't been told anything! Anyway he came to see her the next day and did some exercises with her. My Mum, being her typical determined self, had been pushing herself and has been trying to walk without her crutches. The physiotherapist has told her that she must NOT do that on any account. He said he'd come next week but didn't. If you were me, would you contact somebody. I'd just like to make sure she's getting proper physio.

[ladyalex]

I would contact the physio office and ask why he hasn't returned and when he will be returning.
I'd also contact the district nurses at Mum's surgery about changing dressings etc.
This is poor care.

[anneasquith]

disgusting care, contact the hospital management re a formal complaint, do nothing and nothing will change.

[237SJ]

When my Mum had a pathological fracture of her pelvis, I went onto the local Council website which triggered a system of care. I emailed them late at night and there was someone calling us the next morning. They were fantastic. That might be your first port of call.

[ducksie]

I'm not in UK, when I am discharged from hospital my PHN (public health nurse=district nurse) is always notified and will liaise with aftercare team, looking at the UK I was wondering (thinking what awful treatment of your mum) should you be in contact with Age UK
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/help-at-home/care-after-leaving-hospital/

If the local hospital for your mum were next to useless they could work with her

[tinkerbell23]

Im a surgical nurse-

Upon discharge (with a physio saying that she is ok to home aswell as doctor!!!!)

Physio would arrange themselves to followup in community if need be and occupational therapy??

District nurses should have been made aware aswell absolutley and a followup with her consultant in due course.

Thats a shame- far from ideal! Contact physio and contact the DNs (or treatment room if need be but im sure she could be visited at home!!!!!!)

I really would complain to the ward who discharged her xx

[Peter Pedant]

Is the dressing still on or has it fallen off ?
anyway I would have thought it can come off and she can shower
leave the wound open

Three weeks is early not to use crutches - the plate and screws arent strong enough to weight bear. she should go back onto crutcher like today and you should contact the secretary of her orthopod and ask how to get back onto the physio conveyor belt ....

I have just had a hip replacement ( sort of near but not the same )
had just a few minutes of physio OK I walked out on day 2
and I have had two physio appts ( 15 mins each ) and a hand-out to follow which of course I have ...
and the rest I do myself

[horseshoes]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm going to follow advice on here and contact somebody this week. I shall be back with an update. x

[Sqad]

I understand your concern and broken bones in the elderly tend to be a very emotive subject particularly hips.

\\\\\If you were me, would you contact somebody. I'd just like to make sure she's getting proper physio.\\\

No, I cannot see any point in mother having a physiotherapist after 3 weeks either for her hip or her shoulder ( I assume you mean for her hip?)
She would be partially weight bearing the day after operation, walking up and down the ward with crutches on day 2or 3 and home on crutches where she should continue weight bearing with crutches at her own pace.

What could a physio do now?

\\\\\My Mum, being her typical determined self, had been pushing herself and has been trying to walk without her crutches.\\\

Well done mum......that is the right spirit.

I don't know what she was told on discharge, or when she was discharged, but she would have got the "hang of things" within the first post operative week. Her stitches would have been taken out, and the wound, if clean, would not need a dressing........changed or otherwise.

In my opinion, that standard of treatment is par for the course in most health care systems in the world.

Give my regards to mum.

[Greedyfly]

PALS are in every trust for a patient or relatives immediate needs, give them a call or email and they will direct you and do all the work involved to get you the help and advice you need.

[Greedyfly]

I forgot to add that PALS will also advise and help with the complaints process if you wish to complain, this will be done after they have helped with the initial concerns

[horseshoes]

Thank you GreedyFly. x

[Sqad]

No problem horseshoes.

[horseshoes]

Oh Sqad, I thought I'd already thanked you earlier! Obviously forgot to press submit? I am sorry. I have passed your good wishes on to my Mum though.

[Sqad]

;-)