"Parkinson's management in hospital"

I am a Norfolk resident and I have Parkinson’s. At the start of November 2009, I blacked out due to low blood pressure and that led to a temporary cessation of Apomorphine. I was admitted to Kelling Community Hospital in North Norfolk and I spent two weeks there to enable me to have a rest, also to keep a close watch on my blood pressure which is very low and also to introduce me again to the Apomorphine pump.

I arrived at the hospital just before 5pm. At approx. 5:30 the Nurse Advisor in APO Therapy arrived to fit my pump and to demonstrate to some of the nurses and staff how it was done and stated that people who suffer from Parkinson’s must have their medication on time. She also stated that I could do it myself and if necessary show some of the nurses how it was done. I also signed the forms to self medicate, unfortunately this fell on deaf ears with some. Some were eager to learn and would discuss Parkinson’s with me, and when they were on duty were very concerned if they were late with medication. I came across one nurse who had worked in the past on a Parkinson ward she understood fully the problems I was going through if the medication was late. Judging by their manner, there were two members of staff who thought I was putting it on.

In my opinion, when you are old, sitting in a wheel chair and have Parkinson’s you get ignored. I felt that some staff looked at me as if I was something the cat brought in.

I took issue with a Doctor who treated me like this. I asked the doctor why I had been ignored, I am the patient, I have a tongue in my head, I am intelligent and have all my marbles. The doctor then spoke with a raised voice, yes, I’m not deaf either, was my reply.

Another member of staff who stated she had seen me walk to the toilet in the afternoon, followed this up by saying as I had walked in the afternoon I could walk last thing at night. According to her she had only had 3 hours sleep in two days and that she was very tired. I took issue with that and replied appropriately; as a result I had some help that night.

I felt that I had to make a stand for all those who suffer and have to spend a period in hospital. I came across a lady who told me she went into hospital and they refused to give her Parkinson’s Drugs for two days before it was sorted out.

Getting towards the end of my stay things got better and we had some good laughs.

What effect this all had on my blood pressure I hate to think-- the jury is still out.

My neurology nurse Lynda Hind was unfortunately unavailable at this time as she was away, otherwise she would have sorted things out for me.