"Emergency with Nephrostomy tube"

We had to go to Castle Hill ward 15 one night in August this year.

My husbands Nephrostomy tube had become blocked.

Because he was in pain and vomiting I called an ambulance.  My husband is on end of,life care.

We arrived at the ward and were greeted by a member of staff who immediately said we would be getting a bill for calling an ambulance.  I’ve never heard of that before.

The staff member had read his notes and knew all about him.  They managed to unblock the catheter and it turned out he had a urine infection..  I asked if he could stay on the ward until morning as he felt quite poorly. The same staff member said No as it would be bed blocking.

They continued to say that my husband should be in a nursing home and to find a social worker ..... I was floored.by this and her words still haunt me to this day.

I have nursing experience. It has been agreed that my husband stays at home and Macmillan and district nurses will help care for him and me.

I feel this staff members attitude was disgraceful.  

He was discharged at 3 am and we got a taxi home.

I’m hoping this doesn't happen too often.

We didn’t get a bill from the ambulance service.