Hospital Visiting Madness

[nailit]

Mums been taken into hospital after falling and breaking her hip early hours this morning.
A&E rang my sister a few hours later and said that she had been booked into theatre for tomorrow morning but not sure (if anything) can be done until they open her up. Also added that it would be touch and go whether she would even survive the procedre given her many health conditions. Asked whether visits would be allowed. Some wards would allow visits, others wouldnt, depending on the ward manager.
Shes ended up on a ward where visits are not allowed.

So we have a terrified 87 yr old woman, already facing the prospect of death with terminal cancer, who has now been seperated from loved ones, facing surgery that she may die from and realising her worst fear of dying alone but they wont allow just one visit. And yet if she had been placed on a different ward with a different manager we could have visited and comforted her?
Hospital ward lotto...
Why's it not the same across the board?

Im fuming, sad, angry, upset, worried all at the same time.

[Mexican18]

I agree,Nailit. Complete madness!
I'm so very, very sorry.

[Ken4155]

You need to speak to the 'higher ups' at the hospital, nailit (in as civil a manner you can muster) and ask that your mum be moved to a ward where she can receive visitors, just as soon as a bed is available. If not sooner.

[Buenchico]

The policy at our local hospitals is "One visitor – an immediate family member or carer – can visit if there are exceptional circumstances, for example . . . The patient you wish to visit is receiving end-of-life care . . ."

Perhaps the hospital that your mother's in has a similar policy? Try phoning the specific ward, rather than the general information service, and speaking to someone there to express your concerns.

Alternatively, try phoning the PALS team tomorrow.

[Mamyalynne]

As soon as you are able, contact PALS at the Hospital and stress how near to death your Mum may be regardless of the fall.

I do hope you get somewhere with it, things were hard enough weren't they?

[nailit]

My other sister took her some things up this evening but they wouldnt let her in, strict no visits policy. Lunacy, my mums worst nightmare was dying alone in hospital.
PALS and asking for her to be transferred to a 'visits' ward is good advice thanks. But we cant do anything now until tomorrow. Dont even know what time shes in theatre. Theres no communication between hospital and relatives. My sister has been ringing the ward all afternoon but they wont pick up the phone.

[Theland]

Wow! Talk about rubbing salt in a wound!
That is terribly insensitive.
Good advice from above posters.
Best wishes Nailit, and may your mother know only comfort.

[LadyCG]

Thinking of you, Nailit xx

[Bobbisox1]

I'm so sorry Nailit, it's cruel beyond words

[Unsureme]

Best Wishes,nailit,hope everything works out.

[Tilly2]

Oh, what a tragedy when you had got it all worked out for the best. I am so sorry to hear about this sudden downturn.
Let's hope you get some help from the PALS team as soon as possible.

[Rosie29]

So very sorry Nailit - I do hope you can get something sorted. Its heartbreaking x

[Peter Pedant]

tomorrow get hold of PALS and get them to forward a complaint for you. and yes I agree start at the CEO ( chief exec )

who is consenting for the operation - or is that not an issue?

[nailit]

Thanks Theland.
Got to my sisters at 4;45 this morning to see my mum lying in pain on the floor been given oxygen (or gas and air...not sure which) The young paramedic saying to her youve got to breath deeply. I explained that she CANT breath deeply as her lung muscles are collapsing (had the district nurses out a few night before because she couldnt breath)
He repeated to my mum ''Breath deeply''
what the ****??
Why dont medics listen???

[Tilly2]

He was following procedure, I expect.

[Peter Pedant]

the mortality is not that bad

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg124/documents/hip-fracture-final-scope2

compared to if she had COVID for example

[Lie-in King]

I'm so sorry to read this about your mum, Nailit & sincerely hope you're able to get something sorted with the hospital asap. My continued best wishes to you all.

[ladybirder]

I'm furious for you and/or mum Nailit. To have visitors in one ward and not another is bewildering to say the least. Try and keep calm when you're speaking to PALS, quite hard under the circumstances I imagine. I do hope you are successful.

[Theland]

I understand your anger, but that paramedics do try their best, and bring all of their training to bear on the patient.
Some problems simply don't have a better solution.
They care. Trust them. Its your Mums illness that is the enemy, the paramedics are your cavalry.

[puzzled54]

So sorry nailit, poor lady must be very distressed. Surely someone in the hospital hierarchy has some compassion and can make an exception to the rules

[nailit]

//who is consenting for the operation - or is that not an issue?//
Presumeby my mum, who knows pp? We are not been told anything.
My mum is in so much pain that I dont think she knows what shes doing anymore (even b4 this fall) If I kept a dog like this I would be prosecuted!!!

I hate myself for saying this but I really hope that she passes away tomorrow under anasthetic.