"Failure in communication and discharge"

Admitted  via A&E. Legs weeping and possible infection, had not been eating or drinking properly, or taking medication, for some weeks.

District Nurse called ambulance. Transferred to CDU, then to ward 11. It was noticed by my wife that one of her hearing aids was missing. (left ear)

It had been on her table when we visited . We reported it to the nurse on the desk, who said they would look for it, but the hospital would have to replace it, if it could not be foiund.

Nearly a week later it was still missing. We asked the ward sister about it and she said it could have been gathered up with the laundry, but offered no solution.

The pink form 120441 on admission clearly shows 2 hearing aids. The discharge pink form 120266 clearly shows one.

My wife (next of kin) was phoned on by the sister on the discharge ward.

They were discharging the patient and wanted to know of somebody would be at the flat as they proposed to give her lunch and send her home in the afternoon, to save her waiting around.

The medication would be sent on later. Care Watch to resume their visits at 6. 00p. m.

She lives in a self contained flat at Servite House and the site manager who works 9. 00-4. 30p. m. was ready for her return. When she had not arrived home by 5. 00p. m. the manager phoned the discharge ward.

She was told the hospital had forgotten to lay on transport to get her home. As the manager was due off duty she asked the nurse to check if she had her flat key.

When she said she hadn't, the manager asked the nurse to check her belongings, as the manager was certain she had them when the ambulance crew took her in.

In the event when she had still not arrived at 6. 45p. m. the manager arranged for a lady in a neighbouring flat to have a key to let her and the ambulance crew in.

The manager of Servite House normally goes off duty at 4. 30p. m. and was taking charge as my wife  (next of kin) and I were baby sitting in Coventry.

When we got home at 10. 00p. m. we phoned the patient but got no reply.

We phoned the hospital and it took over an hour plus prompting from me for them to check the computer to establish that she had not been discharged until 9. 25p. m.

The patient is nearly 92. and is no longer in full control of her mind or body. She now requires carers 4 times daily.

Earlier in the afternoon another patient had been discharged and taken to another Servite house very close to 111 Old Oscott Hill.

What we want to know is.

1. What are you going to do about the missing hearing aid? the patient is very deaf without it.

2. Why as  an incapacitated  lady ( who was under instructions to keep her legs up at all times),left  hanging around for up to 12 hours. She arrived home in a very distressed state.

3. Why couldn't she have been sent home with the patient who was deposited round the corner earlier that day?

4. We asked for a receipt to be sent with her so she could claim off the Hospital Saturday fund. She hasn't got one.