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Lack of support for care of my son

Posted By Weemandy

"Lack of support for care of my son"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Blossom Ward (Paediatrics)

(as a parent/guardian),

My son is aged 9, he has cerebral palsy and is reliant on his wheelchair for mobility. We have been in the children’s ward in Craigavon for nearly 2 weeks since admission. Everything was satisfactory in our initial room, until we were moved and I found a few things caused strain on myself both physically and emotionally.

The room we were moved to only had a bath whereas the first room had a shower. My son is showered daily and requires a special chair for using the shower at home and is not used to having to manoeuvre around a bath. Due to this I have had give him a bed bath and on one occasion lift him into the bath, which was difficult for me to do alone as he is growing big now. Our usual personal care has not been followed. There is a hoist in the room but I was not explained how to use it or offered any aid for using it. I feel if I was given assistance and shown the hoist under guidance and when in use, I would not have had to support my son’s weight by myself, which was painful on my back. I feel this was not taken into account and perhaps going forward it would be something to consider for other children using mobility aids.  

I understand bathroom facilities are not a major concern but when a ward becomes your home, the easier it is to use and work within, the better, and makes life more relaxing for everyone. I would not ask to be moved as I would want to burden anyone. In the first room we were in my son’s sisters could come and see us from the window, but this room does not have that option. Although there is a window and we have a good view, his sisters cannot call for a window visit. I feel this was something we really appreciated but when moved really noticed it was missing.

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Responses

Response from Bernie McGibbon, Head of Service, Children and Young People's Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 3 years ago
We have made a change
Bernie McGibbon
Head of Service, Children and Young People's Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 23/09/2021 at 15:04
Published on Care Opinion at 15:04

I am truly sorry to hear of your complaint and that a change of room had such a significant impact on your stay with us. I have discussed the reason that your son was moved from his admitting room with the manager and can advise that this was as a result of his clinical need and requirement for increased observation. It is unfortunate and I apologise his other needs that you have referred to were not considered at that time. I do feel that if you had been shown the equipment this could have been of benefit both to you and your son; this is a significant learning point for the team going forward. It is a pity that you did not mention this difficulty for you at the time as we could have reviewed if another room was available closer to the nurses station, however I feel that you should have been asked how you were getting on in the different room.

Having had this brought to our attention we realise the importance of making sure that parents and carers needs are met on all levels. Your challenges in the room have highlighted the need for nursing staff to consider the combined need of bathroom facilities for both patient and parent to allow the normal daily routine.

I am disheartened to realise that the move to another room affected the family's visiting routine; again another learning point for staff to consider when patients are in for prolonged stays. On speaking with the manager we will be mindful of this need for families given the visiting restrictions during the current climate especially considering the impact on the wider family unit.

I apologise for the upset caused and the frustration as this would not be our intention to make you feel like that.

I can advise that the learning points from your story will be shared at both managers and team meetings to improve patient experience and to optimise history taking at the point of admission to include consideration to the environmental needs of the patient and parent.

I would like to thank you for taking time to share your experience which will help us focus on these important issues going forward.

Kind Regards

Bernie

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