My mum was admitted to gri in March . She has dementia and became unwell a couple of days before with rather vague symptoms . She was off her food / drowsy / nil liquids etc , paramedics attended ( fabulous guys who put her at ease ) . They explained due to the current pandemic I could not be with her through her assessment however they would explain to the nursing staff that it was desirable I was present to answer questions she cannot answer herself , this did not happen and indeed my mother was left on her own for five hours on a trolley while I sat in a separate waiting area patiently waiting on an update .
Eventually I approached reception to be told the day staff had not informed the night staff I was there!!!! I was ( five hours later allowed to be with her ) she was then transferred to a medical receiving ward . At no point did any of the staff wear protective equipment .
The next day I telephoned to be told she had pneumonia . She was subsequently tested for covid 19 and tested positive . At no point did anyone suspect this and no personal protection equipment was worn by any staff . My mum was treated promptly and efficiently by the staff in ward 50 ( the second ward and third department of her 24 hr visit ) . I was then allowed a one off visit wearing said PPE . During this visit staff cane round with the ‘tea trolley’ and one member of staff kindly made mum tea . She wore no gloves / mask and kindly fixed mums oxygen ( nostrils ) then proceeded to go to the next room . A member of the medical team spoke to me re DNR .
Mum improved and the following day happily continued to improve , sadly in isolation. You can only imagine how difficult this would be for her . The following day I was informed she was being moved to ward 7 . A lovely member of the medical team phoned me to explain what was happening . Due to the fact she was covid positive you will be aware myself and my family are currently in isolation for 14 days . I explained this and this was met with reassurance due to her dementia she would be looked after until able to be sent home .
Sadly from that moment this has not been the case . She was subsequently moved to ward 46 having had one negative result for covid and then one positive . I was informed this was the best place for her .. . She remained there through Monday , I assumed until discharge . Sadly on tues evening less than 48 hrs in this dedicated ward I was phoned at 9pm to be told she was being moved again to ward 62 that evening . No explanation was given other than we need the beds and we are more of a receiving ward . I ask the question why move an80 yr old woman with dementia there in the first place ?
She is now being moved to her fourth ward and sixth room in her ten day stay . No visitors ( I understand the difficult time we are all having ) The ward cannot tell me which consultant she will be under . She is by now agitated , confused and lost . Do you consider this fair and person centred care of an 80 yr old patient with dementia and covid .
She will be once again lost and agitated and confused. She will also be under another medical team . I am baffled and as a staff member of GG and C frankly very saddened .
I would appreciate a response
"Treatment of a dementia patient (my mum) with covid 19"
About: Glasgow Royal Infirmary / Respiratory Medicine (Wards 2, 6,7 10 & 16) Glasgow Royal Infirmary Respiratory Medicine (Wards 2, 6,7 10 & 16) G4 0SF
Posted by Confused and saddened (as ),
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Update posted by Confused and saddened (a carer) 5 years ago
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