Advice Please

[Dee Sa]

Chief Stout [my better half] is an inpatient in King Georges hospital Goodmayes.Essex, he is totally blind in the early hours of yesterday morning he was attacked by the patient in the next bed, as he cant see it was extremely frightening for him and he called for help and the nurses came running, half an hour later the same patient was rifing through his hospital locker, the night before that they had to call security to the same man.
I demanded they move hubby and they did, but I want to make an official complaint but to the top, I dont want to mess around with PALS who will sit on and do nothing, who do I send the complaint to pls ?
I hope this doesnt annoy you tilly but I just want some advice.

[ummmm]

How awful for him.

Is there a ward manager?

[RATTER15]

I would find the general manager of the hospital. I would raise blood hell!!!!! That is rediculous.

[ttfn]

Dee, that is truly shocking. I hope it doesn't set him back in his general condition/recovery. Just make sure you keep a detailed record of everything that happened and your conversations with everyone. Why not get your MP involved, too?

[murraymints]

Dee..sorry to hear but not surprised..the name of chief Indian Will be displayed in the hospital somewhere..here it is on a board by main reception desk...if not there ask reception who head honcho is.....hope cs is improving nevertheless...chin up.. take care xx

[abstibus]

Dee
This is horrendous. You need the name of the Clinical Services Manager. Make sure the incident with CS is properly documented in his records.
Make sure your complaint is a written one.
Copy to ward manager also.
Give a date by when you want to have a meeting with the CSM and ward manager.
Big hug to you both. a-m.

[boxtops]

Dee, PALS is the best and fastest way to do it - there's a contact number here http://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/for-patients-and-visitors/compliments-complaints-and-pals.htm

It may take longer if you contact the Chief Exec Averil Dongworth, she will have to refer it down through the formal complaints channels.

The reception in the hospital should be able to give you information about the complaints process

[boxtops]

and PS PALS won't sit around and do nothing, if you make a complaint they are obliged to respond to you by return and give you a deadline by which they will have investigated and got back to you.

[mrs_overall]

Dee, this is scandalous.
Not only would I find the name of the head honcho and make a complaint to him/her, I would also consider reporting it to the police. Assault and attempt theft spring immediately to mind.
I hope CS isn't too shaken and I send you both a big hug xx

[tonyav]

Yep Dee, report to the police.

[mrs_overall]

One tip if you do contact PALS - if you put your complaint in writing it could take weeks for a response. If you make a verbal complaint over the phone you will get a much quicker response.
I was told this when I rang PALS to make a complaint last month. After they told me this, I made a verbal phone complaint there and then. I had a phone call back from the surgical matron within the hour

[ummmm]

Tony, report to the police?

[Dee Sa]

thanks folks, ttfn I will write to our MP as well.
It was 2pm when I go there and they had not thought of moving him up till then, the attack was at 5.30am, it was only when I found the sister and complained that either hubby or the other patient had to moved and what about the poor devils who have no relatives or visitors to speak up for them, he was really scared that it would happen again and being blind had no way of knowing.I thought I could leave him there and sleep soundly in my bed knowing he was being taken care of 24/7.

[boxtops]

Good idea to make a phone complaint rather than writing, as long as you back it up with a letter - I've a great belief in documentary evidence.

[tonyav]

Dee attack = assault, so report it to the police.

[abstibus]

Dee
I see there is an email address on boxy's link. Don't delay. Remember, always, always, keep a paper trail.

[Ann]

How frightening Dee, this happened to my FIL in the late 90s, not physically attacked but an elderly patient rifling through his cupboard and taunting him as he was not able to get out of bed. I told the nurses and they told me he was a nightmare patient, an sad old alcoholic homeless druggie who the police regularly picked up off the streets. He was ill with various conditions so they explained he needed hospitalision but where did they put him? Apparently he had escaped down the fire escape stairs twice. Eventually they took him away to a secure unit, but the nurses said he really wasn't bad enough to be sectioned. But all the patients/relatives breathed a sigh of relief.

[DTCwordfan]

terrible dee, I hope he is ok......any chance of popping him out earlier as, if I remember, Monday was his due day for release......I would have a word with the Matron/Floor Manager (different titles in different hospitals) and say that you are thinking of reporting this to the police - most hospitals have police on site.

[Peter Pedant]

Boxrtops gives all the info

funnily enough I wd start off with the CEO Averil Thingey
She may have to delegateit down but she will still remember it
and of course you can remind her if she forgets

I have to say I didnt find PALS much good.

Have you included in the consultant in charge ?

I would make the point: my husband is clearly vulnerable and the Hospital has a duty to safeguard him.

[Sammy48]

I agree, report it to the local Police, Dee. Just because he is in hospital, it does'nt make it any different to being attacked in the street or in your home. Might be worth getting in touch with the local paper aswell.

Hope Mr. Dee is o.k now.

[gness]

Dee. Nothing I can add to the good advice you have been given but I'm sorry to hear this. CS must have been terrified and bloody upsetting for you.....G x