"The Care falls flat in the discharge planning Stage UPDATE"

This is an update to my mum's initial story - "The care falls flat in the discharge planning stage", describing her downgraded discharge plan from 2 carers 4 times a day to 1 carer 4 x a day.  

Yesterday, mum was discharged from WGH Ward 12, arriving home at 5.30pm.  Care package as above. I was assured by a hospital manager that following interviewing staff that she was confident that only one member of staff is required to get mum up in the morning. I again voiced my concerns that I fear that one carer will not be able to get mum up in the morning as this is the time when she is at her worst (mum has parkinson's and poor mobility).  They responded by saying if this should change in the future, 2 carers would be provided in the morning if required.  They also stated that she most certainly would not be cared for in bed.  Something that I was told by Hazelhead would happen if they were unable to get her up with 1 carer.

The carer arrives and they are unable to get mum up out of bed.  Mum is top heavy and stiff, something that was highlighted and discussed with me by the hospital OT when discussing the original discharge plan.  No matter what this carer tried, it was just impossible to get mum up on their own and in the process mum soiled herself as a result of the stress of it all.

The carer called their manager who advised them to care for mum in bed until they could get something organised.

I called Ward 12 and asked to speak to a nurse to find out the manager's name, who only yesterday guaranteed mum could be cared for by one carer.  Unfortunately, the student nurse said none were available, took my details and said they would call back.  Call was at 9.30am, it's now 12.15pm, no return call as yet.  I very much doubt anyone will call.  

I then called hospital social work, relaying to them what had happened and asked to speak to someone. The person who took my call put me on hold, then when they got back to me stated that the hospital is no longer involved as my mum has been discharged and referred me to Homecare.  

This is exactly the situation I feared and tried to avoid and it's now a reality.  

I then contacted Community Homecare, who stated they will be contacting the hospital and will get back to me.

Currently, my mum is being cared for in bed!

This situation is very distressing for both my mum and I and was completely avoidable.

Community Home Care have been left to resolve this situation.

If only I had been listened to and if only the OT department had devised a more accurate discharge plan, this whole sorry state of affairs could have been avoided.  If only.........