My father was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with a chest infection. He is an 87 year old man with Vascular Dementia.
5 days later at 22.00 (approximately), my father was moved from the QEU to Gartnaval General Hospital with no reason given as to why he was moved; he arrived in the ward at Gartnaval General Hospital at 23.40. The family were up visiting at 20.00 on the day he was moved and were advised that my father would not be moved as it was too late in the day.
The temperature on the day of the move was below freezing the whole day (we believe it must have been at most -1 degrees). In addition to this, as stated previously, my father has vascular dementia, and he was already unsettled and restless as he was out of his familiar environment; by moving him so late at night, this set him back further and he was out of sorts after his move.
Furthermore, none of the family were advised that he had been moved. As far as we were concerned he was still in the QUE, we only found out after calling the QEU the day after the move for an update on his condition.
I am utterly disgusted with the lack of duty of care shown to my father. When in the care of the NHS, we should be able to relax in the knowledge that they are in the best place and are in receipt of the best care and attention available. Specifically with regards to those with Dementia, I would expect there to be some thought brought in to transferring patients, especially when the patient is not of sound mind to reject this move, or to at least let their family know of the planned move.
These actions are entirely unacceptable, and I would like this investigated as to why this was allowed to happen. I am keen to learn of the reason that he was moved, especially at this time of night and the weather conditions at the time, and the reasoning and thought process behind moving a dementia sufferer, not just from one ward to another, but to another hospital entirely.
"Not told that my father had been moved"
About: Gartnavel General Hospital Gartnavel General Hospital Glasgow G12 0XH Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Elderly Medicine (Wards 51, 52, 54,55, 57, 8a & 2a) Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow Elderly Medicine (Wards 51, 52, 54,55, 57, 8a & 2a) Glasgow G51 4TF
Posted by Gilby (as ),
Responses
See more responses from Nicole McInally
See more responses from Ian Reeves