can she pay for an additional carer in hospital

[Nosha123]

a male patient has dementia.. his wife wont leave his side - as he falls out of bed forgetting he is recovering from hip op.
can she pay for a carer to come in to sit with him?
she has been by his side all day and all night... the hospital allowed her to stay (and she was caring for him there so the nurses didnt actually need to... think they were grateful for the extra help!!)
now she has contracted norvovirus and told to leave and not come back for 48hrs.
trouble is - who will now look after him? nurses dont have the ability to sit 1 on 1 with a dementia patient and stop him from falling over or getting out of bed.
any ideas who to call?
local community hospital is in surrey.

[hc4361]

Speak to Surrey social services and see if they can recommend anyone, or try the hospital.
It won't be cheap.

[hc4361]

Try asking the hospital, I meant.

[Wak]

I would have thought that they would have beds with side panels to prevent patients falling out of bed?

[4getmenot]

yes wak but nothing stopping him getting out and falling over

[boxtops]

If he's at home it won't always follow that he's got a bed with cot sides - although you would hope that his home had been assessed before he was discharged.
She can certainly contact a private care agency, but social services ought to know about too. He doesn't need a nurse, he needs an overnight carer.

[4getmenot]

he's in hospital, at least at home she could pay for night sits

[DaisyNonna]

Contact local and national papers, local radio and T.V. Make a fuss. I agree about side panels, too many hospitals ignore ths need. Threaten to sue the hospital.

[boxtops]

sorry, I misunderstood - yes then, he should certainly have cotsides. However if he's in hospital, his wife shouldn't have to go in all nigh - the nurses might be grateful for the help but he's there responsibility while he's an inpatient. do we know why he's not in a securely-sided bed?

[4getmenot]

those bed sides are only allowed to be so high though and that doesnt stop him getting out

[EDDIE51]

He should be in a bed with cot sides , the nurses should be aware of his needs and keep an eye on him. I know that is not likedly to happen in reality.
A sitter to stay all night would cost a fortune . On a practical level I don't know what to say . Even if he could be discharged to a care home, a care home with 1 to 1, 24/7 care is at least £1600 a week. I have worked in a care home and know the charges.