"Hospital stay has incurred huge impact"

My elderly mother was admitted to Crosshouse Hospital Assessment Unit with a urinary tract infection. The care in the assessment unit was good and after a thorough examination it was noted that she had swelling in one leg. A scan was requested but could not be carried out within the unit and my mum was transferred into the main hospital two days later.

Before admission to hospital my mum lived independently, made jam, baked and knitted. she mobilised slowly but steadily around her home and was able to go out accompanied by her family.

On the ward she was restricted to sitting in her chair and had to buzz to be accompanied to the toilet. Each day her mobility deteriorated and we were told she would not be able to return home without a care package.

Her leg scan did not take place until nine days after admission and there was no cause for concern.  On the same day, I was told my mum had bumped her leg and a haematoma had formed. This required to be checked by a surgeon before discharge. I was told no further action was required and my mum was discharged the next day at 5pm. Her leg was heavily bandaged so I quickly contacted the district nursing service for advice and they arranged to call the next day.

The nurses were horrified to find a 9 inch haematoma, the size of a melon on my mum's calf, pictures have been taken as evidence. They also found my mum was black and blue from her elbows to her shoulders from being manhandled out of bed and had a bed sore. The nurses then had to obtain special dressings which was not easy as it was a holiday weekend.

The nurses had to dress her leg initially everyday and this was an extremely painful experience. She still has her dressings changed twice a week and requires oral morphine to help her bear the pain. Needless to say her mobility has deteriorated due to having to protect her leg from knocks.

The district nursing service has been fantastic as are the services received from the Intermediate Care and Enablement team. My mum is now receiving care twice daily and has Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy input.

I feel that if my mum had received her scan in the Assessment Unit she could have been quickly sent home with minimal intervention for her urinary infection and this horrific situation could have been avoided. The delay in treating her and admitting her into the hospital has incurred huge costs which are ongoing. It is now unlikely, that at her age, my mum's leg will fully heal and she has become housebound.