"The care falls flat in the discharge planning stage"

Firstly, I would like to say that the care provided by the nursing staff on ward 12 has been fabulous and the care from the nursing assistants has been exceptional.  However, where the care falls flat is in the discharge planning stage.  I was made aware of my mothers discharge on Friday afternoon - to be discharged on Monday.  Which is welcomed however all was not what it seemed.  

The story to date is, the hospital OT was asked to assess my mums abilities on admission and devise a plan of care.  Then at a later stage again asked to carry out an assessment and formulate a discharge plan.  I was recently asked into a meeting with the OT who subsequently went through the discharge plan with me which included 2 carers 4 times a day and the equipment that was required. This was an increase in my mothers previous care package of one carer twice a day.

I contacted Wishaw Home Support to clarify mums discharge and care package.  I was advised mum wasn't for discharge on Monday but Tuesday and that the care package was for one carer 4 times a day.  I advised them that the OT had assessed for 2 carers and that I had contacted the hospital social work dept only last week who confirmed that on their system mum was down for 2 carers 4 times a day.  My mums care package has seemingly been downgraded despite the OT assessment stipulating 2 carers.  This assessment was documented in my mothers notes.

This is pretty serious and I was told by the OT that part of the assessment of requiring 2 carers was for safety reasons (use of the steady) and the difficulties getting mum in and out of bed.  My mum is 12 stone and her mobility is extremely poor. She may be able to move a very short distance but she gets tired and finds it very difficult to repeat this and there are times when she can't move her legs at all and requires the steady.  I have witnessed this and asked staff to document it.  No one has visited my house to assess how mum would cope in it.  There is 36 foot steps from the living room to the bedroom and 31 foot steps from the living room to the toilet.  Mum will not be able to do this without staff using the steady. To say that mum is getting about with the use of a zimmer with out any problem is simply not true.

I don't believe that the reason for the downgrade in mums package of care has anything to do with the best interests of the patient.

I have just spoken with my mums previous care provider, who explained that they did not have the staff to provide 2 carers for my mum and that if they were to provide her care with one carer and they couldn't manage, mum would then be cared for in bed.  They also stated if the care package broke down mum would be readmitted to hospital, and advised that they had spoken to someone earlier this morning about my mother's care and made them aware of this.

This is an absolutely shocking situation for my mum to be in and I truly fear for her ongoing care at home.