"Father-in-Law's Admittance to A&E"

My father-in-law came over faint whilst shopping in Christchurch and and an ambulance was called. He is profoundly deaf and elderly. As far as we are aware no effort was made to get someone to sign to him or to interpret what was going on. In fact no-one even bothered to contact us to let us know what had happened. We have no idea what happened whilst he was there. He was discharged without any consideration as to whether he was ok at home. As it was he had to be re-admitted due to internal bleeding! We only found out that he had been in A&E after he was readmitted.

There really needs to be more deaf awareness. And also family need to be informed if an old person is taken to hospital so that we can ensure we help them on their return home. He misunderstood most of what was said to him. He was under the impression that he had colon cancer, when in actual fact he had a bleeding duodenal ulcer. There needs to be a dedicated team of signers so that important medical information is conveyed properly. If a signer is not available then instructions or information should be given in written form in a way that is easily understood and NOT in hospital speak. When he was discharged from hospital the second time, the letter was like something that Bletchley Park would have been scratching its head to decipher. He had no idea that he was supposed to go to the doctor or anything.

You have got to reassess this area of your care package. My poor father-in-law was at the point of making plans to meet his maker. Deaf people deserve to be treated as well as anyone else. Staff need to face the person they are addressing so that lip reading can take place; they need to check that the patient has understood what was said and if there is important information to be conveyed then a signer needs to be called in first.

I was appalled by his treatment.