"Just not good enough"

My 89 year old mother was admitted to GHH yesterday (15/03/22) with severe head pain, chest pain, swollen legs and breathlessness.

Her last admission was less than two weeks ago.

She was in an A&E holding area the entire time from what I can gather. This morning I was contacted by an OPAL nurse saying mum would be discharged today as she could walk to the toilet with a frame. I asked about medications and pointed out that blister packs were needed as she had just completed the ones given to her on discharge two weeks ago and, on this visit, her meds have been changed. She needs blister packs because of confusion and so that carers can administer them. I was told this would delay discharge but they would be ordered and she would be home by teatime so I should reinstate her care package.

Just before 4pm I was contacted again and asked if I could collect mum as she was 14th on the list for an ambulance home.

I'm in Leeds, 2.5 hours away!

I gave the number of a relative who could collect. He arrived shortly afterwards and spent over an hour trying to find her, on the phone and asking staff members for help. When he finally found where she had been the ambulance had just left with her.

He settled her in at home and then phoned me. I asked about the blister packs so I could contact her GP tomorrow.

There weren't any.

She had been sent home without her vital medication.

Unbelievable.

While I can't fault any of the staff I have spoken to today when they have rung me, I haven't managed to get through once myself. The phone either rings and rings, or rings and cuts off. Just not good enough but most worrying is the lack of discharge medication.