My 96 year old, deaf, partially-sighted, disabled (arthritis of the spine) mother recently had a fall in her flat at about 1 am. She lives in an Extended Care facility flat, so pressed her life-line and the on-duty carer immediately came to her. The carer called for an ambulance at 1. 15 am. No ambulance came until 4. 45 am, despite repeated requests for assistance from the carer (my mum was becoming increasingly distressed at being unable to rise from the floor, and was in tears).
The ambulance crew judged that my mother should be taken to A & E (Medway Maritime) as they were concerned about her BP.
At A & E my mother had to wait 4 hours before she was assessed by a doctor.
Fortunately, she was assessed as being suitable to be sent home (with the appropriate checks later carried out by Rapid Response on my mother in her flat).
However, she had to wait a further 2 hours before hospital transport was available to take her home.
Whilst the care delivered by all staff concerned was at all times exemplary, as far as I can judge, I feel that the waiting times involved (particularly for an initial ambulance/medical assistance) were shocking!
I felt distressed for my mother, for the NHS staff who have to work with such unacceptable time delays, and for any other vulnerable, elderly patients who may have to endure such an experience as this. I live 100 miles away from my mother, and have been unwell so was unable to attend in person on this occasion. My mother's carers were wonderful in coping with the long wait for an ambulance.
"Very slow response time for my 96 year old mother"
About: Medway Maritime Hospital / Accident and emergency Medway Maritime Hospital Accident and emergency Gillingham ME7 5NY South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust / Emergency ambulance South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Emergency ambulance Lewes BN7 2XW
Posted by Daughter who cares about her mother and about the NHS (as ),
Responses
See more responses from Medway NHS Foundation Trust
See more responses from Louise Hutchinson