"No care package and failed discharge"

My elderly mother, had a total hip replacement early May 2025. 4 days later I received a phone call to state she was ready for discharge, when I queried this and asked if she was able to manage independently in all aspects of her own care, the answer was that’s she was. When I stated that she was breathless, I was told that her chest X-ray and throat swab were clear and that she was ok. 

When I asked why she was breathless the staff member replied that they did not know. 

I then suggested that she had tipped in to cardiac failure, the staff member again said they don’t know. 

The staff member then insisted that my mother was being discharged and that I should come and get her as I was her transport home. 

A short time later (about an hour), I received a call to advise that my mother had been reassessed and was no longer being discharged due to fluid overload (cardiac failure).

She was kept in for a further week, in which time she receive a blood transfusion. In this period, I tried on several occasions to ask about either a package of care or step down care. My requests were declined as my mother was an elective patient and didn’t meet the criteria. 

I was informed that no elective patient can have step down or a package of care after being cared for in orthopaedics in Ninewells. 

My argument is that there is a big difference between someone younger and fitter, versus my mother who is late 80s with limited Mobility. 

My mother was discharged 10 days after the initial discharge date, with no immediate care at home as she lives alone and was offered nothing following discharge. 

Community OT saw her shortly after, and assessed. The 3 nights following discharge from Ninewells, my mother was unable to get herself in to bed and had to use her community alarm (approx.6 times through these times). 

She continued to deteriorate and was readmitted to ward 4 in PRI with a chest infection and cardiac failure, with gross fluid overload. In my opinion this is a failed discharge. 

Maybe if she had a package of care this would have been picked up sooner and treated at home. 

To say myself and her family are angry about her care, or lack thereof, is an understatement.