"Mother in laws TKR"

My mother in law was very lucky to get a cancellation to get her TKR done very early once operations started back post wave 1 of the covid pandemic.  It was very much needed and she had struggled greatly throughout lockdown.  She went into hospital on Friday am to have her surgery that day.

The hospital care and treatment was excellent.  The staff were happy to provide daily updates and we were lucky she was in a single room so we could 'visit' her through the window.The Physio and OT team were excellent at getting her fit for discharge.  I collected her on Monday afternoon with a zimmer with the knowledge an OT trolley and bath board would be delivered that afternoon or the following day.  The trolley was essential as her house has spiral stairs with the only toilet being upstairs.  We were able to provide 24/7 cover to her initially with the help of family so that someone could carry her zimmer up and down for her.

I received a phone call on Tuesday lunchtime advising the equipment would be delivered the next day (Wednesday) which I pointed out was not ideal as she was requiring assistance to get the zimmer up and down the stairs.  I also explained that she may not be able to get to the door if she was up the stairs and asked if they would be able to leave it outside if this was the case.

Apparently this was not possible so I arranged someone to be at the house all day on Wednesday to accept delivery however no-one showed or called.  I spent a great deal of time phoning various places (GP, Social Work, Inverurie Hospital etc) on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday to try to establish what was happening.  Due to working in the same field I was lucky to have contacts and knowledge to help her through the first few days with inadequate equipment for discharge home, however not everyone would.  

I finally managed to speak to the delivery driver on Thursday who was quite rude and informed me they had tried to deliver the equipment yesterday but no one was home! I explained that someone had been there all day with my mother in law and had they not called to check all was ok - they hadn't.  They explained the equipment would be delivered the following day (Friday) 4 days after being discharged home.  I asked if I could collect it, which I could, but since they had to check the bath board was compatible with her bath I felt this would be a wasted trip.  Interestingly I received a call later that day from someone who explained they had looked at the map and think they had gone to the wrong house on Wednesday!

Finally the equipment was delivered on Friday and she was able to ascend and descend the stairs independently.  However, for emergency equipment this 4 day wait was unacceptable.

She has now received community Physio at the house which has progressed her on which is excellent.

I just hope this helps prevent other people who may be more vulnerable and less supported on their discharge from hospital when they are awaiting equipment to be delivered to enable them at home.