Well, whatever it was certainly hit the fan today!
I went in at 12, John was totally zonked again, slumped in his chair looking uncomfortable, and showing signs of pain. His chest was worse, and he was wheezing badly.
I had a word with the staff nurse and said I thought he should be in bed. 'We can't keep him in bed all day, he'll get sores'. I said I didn't want him in bed all day, but he wasn't comfortable, and was in pain. 'He can't be in pain, he's on paracetamol'! I hit the roof, backed up by one of the good carers. 'We'll put him to bed, Hazel!'
Explosion of staff nurse!
John refused all food, even soup, then the two carers brought a hoist. They were still struggling to get a totally comatose John connected to the hoist, when the charge nurse arrived for the afternoon shift. He was horrified when he saw the state of John. I said I'd like a word with him when he had a moment. He said 'Come in now'.
I told him I was disgusted with the lack of care John had had this week. I described the state I had found him in on Monday, and the fact that the staff nurses refused to put John to bed, even though he was so uncomfortable in the upright chairs.
I told him that John's problems are now purely nursing rather than EMI (he agreed), and if they couldn't give him that care I would be bringing him home.
He was very upset, and asked me to give him till the end of the week to sort things out. He would be having strong words with the staff. I made a point of naming the ones who had been helpful -- he had the staff rota in front of him so could draw his own conclusions about the rest!
I left them to clean up John and put him to bed while I came home to see to Skye.
Half an hour later, John was comfortable in bed, with a new air mattress.
On top of that, they had 'magically' found a chair of the design I had been looking at from another section. They tried John in it, and it fits perfectly. A bit scuffed, but that doesn't matter. He can use it as long as he needs it. £2000 saved!
I was called in again, the staff had been told, and John was to be moved every two hours.
And the carer who helped me at lunch time came back in in her 'civvies' to have a word too, so it wasn't just my word. That woman deserves a prezzie.
So, although John is still very ill, at least he's comfortable now, and hopefully will be properly cared for.
Still not a good situation, but I may be able to sleep tonight.
Love,
PS How many potys?