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Care Opinion

Bed blocking

Posted By Lucy22

"Bed blocking"

About: Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / Trauma and orthopaedics

(as a relative),

My mum fell and broke some ribs and was ready to go home after 5 days. The team were kind but she had to keep being moved. She was stuck, like so many are, waiting for a care plan. She was in for 10 days longer than necessary. 

I asked if we could take her home and start looking after her until the care package could be arranged but was told that if we did that there would be no care package. I work full time and have 2 small children. I was happy to care for her but could not do it long term (4 visits a day). 

It seems crazy that if a family is willing to help to get people home it means no care at all. Surely changing this would reduce bed blocking?

I felt like all the staff were as frustrated as me with the process and mum was getting increasingly distressed by being stuck. 

Not sure this is the place to write this but not sure where else. 

Thanks 

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Responses

Response from Jess Saunders, Patient Engagement and Feedback Coordinator, Patient + Family Experience Team, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust nearly 2 years ago
Jess Saunders
Patient Engagement and Feedback Coordinator, Patient + Family Experience Team,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 17/08/2022 at 10:22
Published on Care Opinion at 10:22

picture of Jess Saunders

Dear Lucy22,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you on here, I wanted it make sure I was able to come back to you with an appropriate response so have had a couple of conversations with various colleagues around the Trust.

I am so sorry that you and your mum experienced this frustrating discharge process. I want to reassure you that your mum was not considered as a 'bed blocker' by the teams who supported her during her stay. Unfortunately, the care package providers are external to the Trust and prioritise who they see based on need. By being discharged home with your support, there would be a risk that she would not urgently receive the care package that she required as she was getting support from yourself. By keeping her in for the 'extra' 10 days, whilst that package was being arranged it ensured that she remained safe and not at risk of further falls and fractures that may have resulted in a readmission.

I'd like to reassure you that all patients like your mum are discussed at daily flow meetings to prioritise, facilitate, and expedite safe discharges where possible. Unfortunately, there is often a wait as the need for support is high. We are working closely with our external partners to try and reduce the waiting time for patients like your Mum, however this is still a work in progress.

I hope that your mum is now home and recovering from her fall. Thank you again for taking the time to share your story with us.

Best wishes,

Jess

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Response from Holly Kiernan, Patient Experience Manager, Patient & Family Experience Team, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust nearly 2 years ago
Holly Kiernan
Patient Experience Manager, Patient & Family Experience Team,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 18/08/2022 at 11:40
Published on Care Opinion at 11:40

Thank you for taking the time to give us your opinion as we truly appreciate your feedback. We would love to contact you in future to help us inform decisions about our services and the way we work. This could range from small queries to larger projects so that you can be involved as much or as little as you like.

If this is something you would be interested in please contact the Patient Engagement Team at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust on rcht.patientengagement@nhs.net or telephone 01872 252793, so that we can record your details.

Thank you again for taking the time to tell us about your experience.

Best wishes,

Holly

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