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Left in the dark and No Apology

Posted By jazzmp97

"Left in the dark and No Apology"

About: Bellfield Centre Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Accident & emergency Forth Valley Royal Hospital / General medicine Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Orthopaedic Ward B23 Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a relative),

Our male family member was admitted to hospital with renal failure caused by an obstructive uropathy which progressed to sepsis.

The paramedics who took him to hospital were very good and the emergency doctors almost certainly saved his life.

A few weeks passed and the family contacted PASS with some concerns about his subsequent care and the poor communication from ward staff, we were then told the next day without any warning that if an ambulance could be found, he would be home within an hour. We felt this was an unsafe discharge, and the hospital agreed to keep him in for a little longer.

However, later on after being moved into the open ward, he suffered a fall in circumstances whose details have not been shared. We were told there would be an adverse event review, but we have been told nothing.

Two days after the fall, a fractured femur was uncovered, which led to surgery. A phone call from an anaesthetist said our family member might not survive surgery.

Apparently, the surgery went well but delirium set in which required antipsychotics. He has now been on APs for the best part of four months and now we have been told he has Alzheimer's from one four-month old brain scan.

The family feel completely in the dark and cannot understand how our family member has gone from being admitted with a physiological complaint to now being marooned indefinitely with a neurodegenerative illness that was missed by a radiologist and a psychiatrist.

Is this what NHS care has become?

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Responses

Response from David Watson, Chief Nurse, NHS Forth Valley last week
David Watson
Chief Nurse,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 23/06/2025 at 12:30
Published on Care Opinion at 13:15

Dear Jazzmp97,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I am very sorry to hear about the challenges your family member has faced during and after their admission to hospital, and I recognise how distressing this has been for you and your family.

I am glad to hear that you felt the emergency care provided by the paramedics and A&E doctors was of a high standard and that they likely played a key role in stabilising your relative during a life-threatening event. However, I am deeply concerned to hear about your later experiences, including poor communication from ward staff, an unexpected discharge plan, the fall on the ward, and the evolving diagnosis that has caused so much uncertainty and distress.

Please accept my sincere apologies that you have felt left in the dark at such a critical time. That is not the standard of care or communication we aim to provide.

I would like to look into this more thoroughly to understand what has happened and ensure your concerns are fully addressed. If you feel able, and have not already done so I would encourage you to contact our Patient Relations Office directly, so we can arrange for someone senior to review your family member’s case

Your Sincerely

Dr David Watson

Chief Nurse

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Response from Marie Kennedy, Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs, Scottish Ambulance Service last week
Marie Kennedy
Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 23/06/2025 at 14:40
Published on Care Opinion at 14:44

picture of Marie Kennedy

Dear jazzmp97,

Thank you for writing in to provide feedback. I see that you have provided feedback for a number of NHS services. I am responding on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS). I'm deeply sorry to hear about your family member's ill health and that he was in need of an ambulance and subsequent care. As my NHS colleague has mentioned above this must have been a very scary experience for him and all of your family. I'm pleased to hear that you found the paramedics helpful but I'm sorry to hear that his health deteriorated and he required significant input from NHS services. I do hope that he receives the necessary treatment and support he requires and that you and your family get the answers that you require.

Wishing him and all your family the very best.

Kind regards,

Marie

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