"Early Discharge"

I had my knee joint replaced in August 2013 and was discharged six days after the operation, having been reassured by the ward doctor that I wouldn't be discharged until I was able to get in and out of bed on my own. I wasn't. The doctor had visited me that morning and I made him aware of my predicament. About mid day - a Tuesday - I became aware that the ward sister and her staff were showing concern about the availability of beds, as Wednesdays seemed to be an admission day for new patients. Three of us had been operated on the previous week and were told about 2. 30pm that we were being sent home that day! None of us could get in and out of bed on our own and an occupational therapist came to show me how to "throw" a looped bandage around my foot and lift my leg out and into bed. Not ideal at all. It was another three days at home before I could manage to lift my leg into/out of bed on my own. In the meantime, my wife was having to help me, and she's not in the best of health.

I think Chorley Hospital discharged me about three days too soon. That's the pressure put on them by hospital administrators and managers. The staff were fine.