"No discharge arrangements put in place from ward..."

Anything else?

My 78 year old father was discharged from this hospital with no proper arrangements in place to ensure his safety. Neither the district nurses, or his doctor were told he was coming home, he was told at 2pm he would go home, and put in an ambulance at 5pm. He was given a telephone number for the local social services and a receipt for some home equipment to be delivered to help with his getting up from the toilet. He had no fresh food and his neighbours who would have helped were unable to be contacted at such late notice.

He had a leg operation and his mobility was severely affected, being unable to go far himself, his foot was too swollen for shoes. He has sight difficulties and poor hearing.

His original discharge from hospital was delayed due to swelling and decreased leg bending and mobility. His consultant had arranged for an occupational therapy and social services assessment before his discharge.

The previous friday at 2pm; him having advised his bathroom was upstairs; a physio came and tested him on the stairs and she told him he needed go home now - he had been advised that he would get mobility and safety aids to help steady him at home, but now these weren't necessary. She had spoken with the occupational therapist and they did not need him to be able to shower and they could not help with handles around the house. We had an upsetting few hours trying to see how he could manage, before we were told his wound was not adequate for him to go home.

The following Tuesday his consultant having heard he lived on his own said that he would set the discharge date for the following Tuesday in order to enable things to be put in place for his discharge. The day after a nurse came and said he was to go home the following day and did not need occupational therapy and social services support. I was upset that he was not being listened to. He was managing in hospital as the ward is full of mobility aids and rails, the shower was a wet room. I (daughter) telephoned the ward and asked for the OT assessment, I was told this had not been done because my father had said he was happy to go home ( he had rightfully assumed help), I asked if it could be delayed to Friday so that I could be there and was told by the ward sister "we don't like to send patients home on Friday" as there was no support. I was told he could keep on his compression stockings until his out patient appointment (when it was arranged) as he could not take them off himself, despite putting then on every morning and taking them off at night in hospital.

At 5pm he was put in an ambulance and sent home, unsupported.

My sister rang his GMP, the district nurses and social services the next day, they had no information. Two days later the district nurse came, they had no referral or information concerning my father. The toilet aid was delivered but did not fit, my father was told he would have to pay for a rail. The day after discharge a neighbour brought round fresh bread and milk