"Unsafe discharge from A & E"

In early December this year my mother was brought in by ambulance with a head injury, at about 2230 hours, due to her being intoxicated and having had a fall due to her problems with alcohol. Ambulance staff were concerned, as was I, as she seemed very confused.

I totally understand your staff were very busy, it being a Friday night. However my concern was that despite me saying she was incapacitated due to excess alcohol consumption I was not allowed to come in due to Covid restrictions.

I was advised to go home and come back in a few hours. Just by luck I came back at 3am and 10 to 15 minutes later I saw mum at the doors of the nursing station being discharged. She was still heavily intoxicated/confused and only had a hospital gown and a dressing gown on. When I asked about my mother's care the nurse seem confused and  didn't know that there were family there.  They had to speak to a doctor to tell me what care my mother had received, and said that they weren't the person caring for my mum.

My mother was being sent to make her own way home with no money, no proper clothing on at 3am,  and with no phone on her. When I asked staff if they could watch her while I got the car I was informed they could not do this.  In the 2 minutes I took to get my car I found my mother walking near the maternity unit, with a hospital gown, at minus 3 degrees and a major fall risk. 

 I just wanted to give feedback as even though my mother has alcohol addiction she was very quiet and not causing trouble. My fear is this could happen to another family and could lead to a bad outcome. I would like to recommend if a vunerable patient is discharged from your care can you please ensure someone is contacted prior to discharge.