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Elderly mother with dementia

Posted By lacertaxq67

"Elderly mother with dementia"

About: Royal Victoria Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as a relative),

My mother was taken to the emergency department by ambulance a few days ago following a fall, whilst in ED she received x2 blood transfusions after a blood test showed low haemoglobin. My mother is unable to mobilize on her own and needs assistance from nursing staff to use the toilet at her beside. Following a second blood transfusion I was advised my mother was fit for discharge, despite explaining to numerous staff during her stay that she would not be safe at home as she would be on her own overnight and for periods during the day and I would be concerned about a further fall, alongside the fact that she is still sore on mobilizing.

 I feel that I am not being listened to and am being forced to take my mother home. This is not safe care! 

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Responses

Response from Debbie Rainey, Dementia Service Improvement lead, Medical Specialities, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 7 months ago
Debbie Rainey
Dementia Service Improvement lead, Medical Specialities,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

To support evidenced based dementia and delirium care for our patients within our acute hospital settings.

Submitted on 01/01/2025 at 12:19
Published on Care Opinion on 02/01/2025 at 08:00

Dear Lacertaxq67,

I sincerely apologise for the delay in responding to your feedback about you and your mothers experience while attending the Emergency Department. I am sorry that you felt your concerns about your mother being discharged were not listened to. I can appreciate how frustrating it is not to feel listened to and for the distress this may have caused.

Busy acute hospital environments can pose significant risks to older adults especially for people with a diagnosis of dementia. This is why once someone has completed their medical treatment, the aim would be for the person to return back to their own home as quickly as possible. However it is important for the team to listen to concerns that are raised by carers and family members therefore I can only apologise again that you did not feel this happened.

I am available to discuss your experience further if you would like to contact me on my direct line or you can leave another message through care opinion. I have also shared your feedback with the relevant team to highlight your concerns and to try and prevent this from happening again. I hope that your mother is recovering well from her previous fall and treatment received.

Kind Regards

Debbie Rainey

Dementia Service Improvement Lead

Acute Hospitals for the Belfast Trust

Telephone Number: 028 95047078

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