"Lack of understanding"

There has been a failure to discharge my medically optimised brother despite the advice of 2 doctors.

Following a small fall at home the paramedics noticed my brother's sit and stand blood pressure to be low. Not unusual for a Parkinson's patient.

However they advised a trip to Chorley Hospital to take a look at this. He was assessed on MAU and moved to Rookwood A - the beginning of the end. Unknown to the family this ward has no TV no Radio no stimulus whatsoever.

This man was a fit 72 year old who drove his car, rode his bike, mowed the lawn and in bad days never ever complained. A gentle soul quietly spoken who liked nothing better than to be with family.

No communication. Refused designated visitor appts. No information and then refused discharge A week later as physios assessed him as lacking mobility.

Despite our pleas that we hard more facilities at home with a neurophysiotherapist already booked, they saw fit to keep in bed for a total of 2 weeks no visitors no conversation until he acquired sepsis and died confused agitated and in pain.

They didn't even have the decency to call until in cardiac arrest. They used the lack of capacity and lack of power of attorney to block us from discharging him. 

We felt that there was a complete lack of understanding.

We now feel that peopel should ensure they have medical power of attorney for all Parkinson patients to avoid this situation.

They made our lives hell for the 2 weeks trying to get visit, information and Discharge and now we are unable to move on due to all the "what ifs".

Primarily what if we had never let him go there. He went in for low blood pressure.