"Losing sight of people in the process."

This post is not intended as a criticism of individuals but I hope it challenges staff to make sure they don't lose sight of people in the process. 

My brother is a 69 year old, widower who is physically disabled but fiercely independent. He lives alone with his dog who has become his soulmate since his partner died last year. He has had 3 hospital admissions for cellulitis in the last year and has been pretty poorly and septic on each occasion. It is always difficult to get him to seek help, as his main concern is for his dog who has to come to me when he is hospitalised, which he feels puts additional pressure on me. I admit it presents a challenge, as I work full time and currently have an old dog and a new puppy! 

By last Friday my brother was feeling very unwell and I managed to convince him to contact his GP for assessment. The GP visited him at home and he was subsequently admitted to hospital, where following assessment he was admitted and transferred to ward 51 Victoria Hospital. Over the weekend my brother received oxygen and IV antibiotics. He said the staff in the ward were all great. On Monday mid morning he called me to say he was being discharged, with a plan to return daily to hospital for IV antibiotics. When I asked him how he was going to manage, (  he lives 13 miles away and drives an adapted car for his mobility issues) he said he would  just need to manage and anyway he would much rather be at home. I asked if anyone had mentioned hospital at home but he did not know about this and said it had never been suggested as an option. He said I could ask about it if I thought it would be better and told me he had managed to arrange transport early evening.

Around half an hour later, when time allowed at work, I called the ward to ask whether hospital at home could be considered, to be told my brother had already been discharged as they had managed to get transport. I explained how difficult it would be for my brother to,attend the 10am appointment in ward 6, even when feeling at his physical best it would be a challenge for him to get there in time! It didn't seem to me that staff had considered that he still had a cellulitic leg, lived alone and would experience real difficulties in mobilising, far less  driving. I envisaged the challenge he would face parking and trying to actually get from the car park to ward 6 and hoped this would allow for an alternative plan. The nurse said they weren't sure whether my brother would meet the criteria for hospital at home, and advised that now he was discharged there was little they could do. They reminded me that my brother had been content with the plan!

And so my brother arrived home to an empty, cold house with no food in. The discharge had been so hasty that my sister arrived at hospital before he had the opportunity to tell her he was home. Thankfully she was then able to sort out food for him that afternoon.

At 6am the next day my brother messaged me to say he had been up most of the night, sweating profusely and he was worried as he didn't think he could drive to the hospital. I agreed to contact the hospital to see if an alternative plan could be suggested. I called ward 6 and spoke to a very kind nurse, I was tearful as I described the recent events and the nurse was very calming and agreed to make contact with ward 51 and call me back. This happened promptly but the nurse had been unable to contact the medical staff involved. They explained that as my brother was not yet their patient they were unable to refer him on to hospital at home and would be unable to arrange same day transport. It was suggested that I contact the GP as the best appropriate and clarified the GP would be in a position to refer to hospital at home if appropriate.

I contacted my brother and told him what he needed to do and he agreed. When my brother was able to speak to the GP, he was asked what he expected the GP to do? Then he was asked if he could get a taxi to and from the hospital. My brother made it clear he was doing what he was asked to do and the GP then reluctantly agreed to visit. Following a visit the GP arranged for the Hospital at Home Team to attend and around 4pm my brother was at last able to receive his treatment! The nurse who attended, Mary was very attentive and re assuring and I felt my brother was back in safe hands! 

I don't want to complain but I do want staff to read this and reflect. To remember to see beyond the quick discharge and the task in hand to the person behind the task. My final ask is for compassion, please do not dismiss or belittle, these leave us with a lack of confidence.

My thanks to the nurse in ward 6 for their kindness and Mary from Hospital at Home for her reassurance...you both helped.