My father has needed care since before 2005. When my mother died in 2005 she was his primary carer and I feel that he has been pretty much abandoned since then.
Social Services informed me that he was not entitled to help because he has means. Since then he has been refusing help because he feels he's paid National Insurance all his life and is entitled to help. He has been in and out of hospital since 2005 and has broken more bones in his body than I can remember. On each occasion he is packed off home only to injure himself again. It must be costing the NHS a fortune.
This year he went into hospital in April, self discharged twice only to be back in hospital after a matter of days.
This week he was discharged from hospital having been assessed by a psychiatrist as being of 'sound mind' and 'with capacity'. I saw him at the weekend - he could barely keep a coherent thought in his mind for longer than 10 seconds, was muddled and confused and wasn't able to get up out of his chair. I BEGGED the hospital not to discharge him but they ignored my pleas.
I have tried to no avail to speak with senior members of staff at North Devon District Hospital but have had no response to any of my communications.
His GP cannot help him because he is deemed to be of 'sound mind'. Social Services appear to have washed their hands of him.
Is there nobody out there who can help me make my father's twilight time comfortable and safe?
"Is there anyone who can help make my father's twilight time comfortable and safe?"
About: North Devon District Hospital / General medicine North Devon District Hospital General medicine EX31 4JB
Posted by TapWhizz (as ),
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See more responses from Jayne Kruszewski
Update posted by TapWhizz (a relative) 11 years ago