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Lack of regard for patients with Parkinson's

Posted By disillusioned

"Lack of regard for patients with Parkinson's"

About: Medicine for the Elderly / Acute Medicine for the Elderly (ward 16)

(as a carer),

Its taken me a few months to tell this account of my husband's journey in ward 16 Ninewells Hospital as he passed away and I wasn't able to do this.

He was admitted to this ward after a fall in August last year. I spoke to the staff and went through his medication with a pharmacist twice and still they managed to get his medication wrong.

I was under the impression this time they got it right but again we were let down.

We have had issues in the past with the same thing and still there is an ongoing problem with getting Parkinson's medication on time and the correct medication given.

When I discovered they were missing out his night medication for 8 days I raised this with the ward, and this was treated as if he was missing a paracetamol. I feel he was badly let down again by Ninewells. They were concerned he wasn't mobilising; people with  PD will never mobilise if they don't get the medication on time, it's a proven fact. 

But how many campaigns do Parkinson's UK have to do to get this medication on time?

I seriously think this will never happen, and I fear for people with this condition going into Ninewells as the staff I have encountered have a very poor understanding of it .

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Responses

Response from Senior Nurse, Medicine and Cardiovascular, NHS Tayside 14 months ago
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 28/02/2024 at 12:08
Published on Care Opinion at 12:16

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. May we please taking this opportunity to offer our condolences for the loss of your husband. Please accept our sincere apologies for any distress we caused to both you and your late husband during his stay with us. We have listened to both the concerns you have raised and the frustration you have felt at having to raise concerns around the administration of Parkinson's medication on more than one occasion.

We would like to give you absolute assurance that we are working closely with our Parkinsons Specialist Nurse to optimise our knowledge and education when it comes to providing care, which includes timely Parkinsons medication administration, to this specific group of patients.

Kind Regards,

Carol-Ann Pereira

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Update posted by disillusioned (a carer)

Thank you for your response but I really can't take your assurance onboard this was vital medication for my husband's well being and mobility as I said not this first time it's happened.

The said medication should not be stopped abruptly unless it's reduced gradually as it spells that out in the instructions leaflet.

It just wasn't prescribed it was missed by a trained Pharmacist that FAILED to write him up for this that should not happen in a hospital environment this should be double checked

I have been in contact with the feed back team with my concerns they have replied and I'm waiting on a further reply.

This is taken from the instruction leaflet

If you stop taking Madopar CR

You must not stop taking your capsules without talking to your doctor first. This is because if you stop taking the capsules suddenly it can cause something called ‘neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome’ (NMLS). Early signs include increased shaking, sudden high body temperature and muscle problems including stiffness and trouble with balance and keeping upright (postural instability) especially if seen with sweating, paleness and fast heart beat. NMLS can be life threatening.

Response from Senior Nurse, Medicine and Cardiovascular, NHS Tayside 14 months ago
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 01/03/2024 at 20:26
Published on Care Opinion on 02/03/2024 at 09:05

Dear disillusioned

Thank you for your reply. Again I apologise for the distress this caused you and appreciate you getting back in touch.

As you have indicated in your response that you have taken this to our Patient Experience Team as a complaint, I’m not in a position to be able to offer you more information on this on this platform, but can assure you that the matter will be fully investigated in line with our complaints policy to ensure learning is taken and appropriate actions put in place where required.

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