"My brothers discharge from Dumfries hospital"

Hi this is my second opinion on this site wasn't sure about telling this story but I think it needs addressed.

My brother was admitted to hospital in early Jan. He has had two admissions previously and I had highlighted my concern he wasn't managing his meds properly. He was assessed in hospital previously but was told he didn't need help however this resulted in him taking too much of one med which I'm sure led to his collapse at home and lay all night before being admitted.

I can't praise the nursing staff enough for the care they gave him to get him back to the stage when he could be discharged. This is where it went wrong. He lives alone and without going into details of his condition he has bouts of confusion and other ailments. Over the 3 weeks in hospital it was discussed with myself and him about going to Annan hospital.

A few times we were told he would be assessed prior to him being sent home and I was assured it would be planned. The occupational therapist spent a couple of days assessing him and discussed with me his next of kin and his sister that the best thing for him was a long term support package. This is what I believed would be happening

I had turned his heating down had to empty his cupboards and fridge freezer as well as clean his home as he hadn't been looking after himself for some time. I had done my best to help him but some things he wouldn't let me do. Towards the end of January someone came and asked him how he felt about going to Annan hospital which he said yes. I was up seeing him after this happened I wasn't going on the Saturday as it's an 80 mile round trip which I don't mind but as he was doing ok I had the day at home.

I received a call from the social people asking if his home was suitable for him. I said yes and had the care package the occupational therapist recommend been put in place. They said they didn't know and would check it out on the Monday. I told her the results of his brain scan which showed a deterioration so that was that so I thought.

Sunday morning phone call from the same department at 9.45 am asking the same questions. I once again explained what the occupational therapist recommend long term support. Once again I was told they would speak to them on Monday. I said I would be at the hospital and they said they  would pop down to see me. I said I would be there from 11am till 4pm.

I arrived at the hospital 11am to be met with the nurse on duty saying good news stars can start tonight. I asked what did they mean. To that they said my brother was being sent home that afternoon. I said I had spoken to two people from the social department and nothing had been said to me and I was the one looking after him. The social people came into the ward when one introduced themselves I said you never said anything about him getting home. I felt the other person was quite rude to me but then started to say about my brother getting home. He looks at people when they talk to him but he doesn't take things in. He will agree but not understand what somethings mean.

I asked about the recommended care package and was told it was just a recommendation and they did there own assessment. I asked what was the point of the first one then but was told that was just the way it was done. However he couldn't get home on the Sunday as I had no key for his home. I asked what care he was getting and why he had been asked about Annan hospital when they weren't going to send him there. They asked my brother how he felt about going home he said oh I'm going to be on my own. She then said stars would come in at 10 am and 17.15 pm. At least i could go to his home before he came home and put the heating on and get food in. This is a short term care agency they finish soon and I don't know what is going to happen after that, but I'm looking into getting him the care he was promised.

His discharge report also stated he was to have a long term support package. He has been failed and the hospital has a duty of care which I feel has let him down. Don't get me wrong I understood he didn't need to be in the ward but it isn't the patients fault and to be sent home without the care package that was recommended is just wrong and for my brother to feel he doesn't matter enough to get this care is so sad.