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Care Opinion

Poor medical care

Posted By JaJ21

"Poor medical care"

About: Derriford Hospital / General medicine Derriford Hospital / Rheumatology

(as a service user),

My Partner was admitted into hospital & was going to be dismissed 2 weeks later. They did find blood clots & confirmed an under active Thyroid, but after seeing 10 different Consultants they were going to send him home without any diagnosis of his muscle issues, which he was originally admitted for. 

Physiology refused to allow him to leave, but they could not assist him until they knew what was wrong. Now we are over six months later & still none the wiser. We have requested a genetics & genomics test but keep being informed they don’t need to do this as they can find any hereditary illnesses through blood tests. Blood test will only show what is being looked for, if you are unaware of what is medically wrong then blood tests will not help. 

Rheumatology suggested a steroid, which he never received, instead was prescribed a different steroid & this masked the issue with the muscle problem & Rheumatology dismissed him from their clinic. He was referred back 8 times to Rheumatology who stated it was nothing to do with them. 

After contacting PALS Rheumatology has admitted they prescribed the steroid which did mask the issue & thought the problem was with the thyroid.

Since January he has had 3 seizures, after the second one we were advised it was a mini-stroke. We have since been advised by other departments that it was not a stroke but no answer to what happened.

Today he had his third seizure, he was taken to Derriford hospital once again. He has now been dismissed & told they are unsure what the problem is & they will book him in for a MRI & prescribed him medication. 

Why can the MRI not be done whilst he is ill & how can you prescribe drugs for something you are unsure what it is? They also sent him home with the Cannula still in his arm. 

We have now had enough of the Doctors at Derriford, we feel they are not doing their jobs properly & keep passing the buck. If they are unsure then involve someone who may be able to assist rather than dismissing patients. 

We are very annoyed, angry & upset with the way we have been treated.

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Responses

Response from Alison Stanton, Complaints and PALS Manager, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust 3 years ago
Alison Stanton
Complaints and PALS Manager,
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Submitted on 08/04/2021 at 11:08
Published on Care Opinion at 11:08

picture of Alison Stanton

Alex Bond, from the Rheumatology Service Line is so sorry to hear of your concerns.

Would you like to get in touch with us, so we can look into these in detail? Care Opinion comments are anonymous so it is difficult to respond fully without knowing specific details. If you would like to get in touch with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service, you can do so on 01752 439884.

Alternatively, please email the team at: plh-tr.PALS@nhs.net

Many thanks

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Update posted by JaJ21 (a service user)

Thank you for your response, but Rheumatology are looking further afield at this time. My issue are with all departments that my Partner has had to have contact with.

Neurology first advised that he had a minor stroke, but two months later advised he was having seizures. No tests were done, but he was prescribed medication & informed they will arrange an MRI in 1 to 2 weeks. How will that show any abnormalities after he has taken medication.

Whilst in hospital for 3 weeks last year, tissue sample and pints of blood being taken was sent home with no real outcome of why his muscles were deteriorating. Physiotherapist confirmed they could not assist at that time without an outcome of what they would be dealing with.

He has now lost his job due to not being able to carry out his role for 12 months. I have been asking for a Genetics and Genomics test to see if this will throw more light on things, but keep being advised this would not help.

I feel they should either bring in someone who deals with rare illnesses, or do the test.

Response from Alison Stanton, Complaints and PALS Manager, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust 3 years ago
Alison Stanton
Complaints and PALS Manager,
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Submitted on 13/04/2021 at 16:49
Published on Care Opinion at 16:49

picture of Alison Stanton

Thank you so much for responding.

As previously mentioned, if you would like PALS to put you in touch with the consultant or the specialist service line to see if they can help with your questions, then please get in touch with us.

Many thanks

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