Are medical staff actually trained or do they just close their eyes and hope for the best

[nae sporran]

I shouldn't really have put it like that as my brother works for the NHS. Yesterday was my day off, photo walking group in the morning while the care worker was here and 3 hours in the afternoon while the befriending / sitting care worker was here. The district nurse came while I was out. She checked C over thoroughly and found no problems. The only reason I know this is because the care worker told me this morning. Had the two not spoken in the hall of our flat complex I would be none the wiser. We are waiting for a referral for a gel cushion to reduce the chance of pressure sores and that was never mentioned, so have no idea what is happening. The nurse practitioner phoned in the afternoon about another change to creams after C's daughter interfered and asked if the district nurse had been. She had visited, but I didn't know and it would seem neither did the practice nurse.
With apologies again to NHS staff it is just so frustrating when I'm already trying my best to be a carer, but am constantly left in the dark or decisions are taken on the advice of someone who is not here to deal with the changes. I have POA and it is registered at the surgery. They have an out of date contact number for the district nurses who now work for a private firm whose number (once I finally tracked it down) goes straight to a manager's answer phone.
Dementia Navigator gave me some good advice on what to ask for at a care needs assessment, so I'll email that in the afternoon. I just hope social services are more communicative and nobody interferes.
Thanks for reading and best wishes to you all in your struggles.

 

[Grannie G]

It`s all about communication isn`t it @nae sporran. If it was as it should be it might reduce your levels of stress. This is what doesn`t seem to be appreciated but those tending to C/

 

[nellbelles]

@nae sporran Not good at communicating obviously I would complain to the Practice Manager.

 

[marionq]

Could you hang a whiteboard for staff to write messages on about when they’ve been and what they’ve done. Mostly they are in and out and if you’re not there then they are on to the next client. Agencies usually have a log book they fill in.

 

[nae sporran]

Thanks everyone, I have sent a letter of complaint.
A whiteboard is a good idea @marionq , though I'll need to think about where to hang it in order that it is seen and how to draw attention to it.

 

[Bunpoots]

I understand your frustration @nae sporran - I remember asking the continence nurse to phone so I could be there when she visited my dad. She didn’t and I had to wait another month for an appointment ?. That wasn’t the only example of nhs incompetence but it was one of the worst!

I had to smile at your title - it reminded me of Spock turning to McCoy in Star Trek and saying “I had no idea you were trained, doctor - watching you, I’d assumed it was trial and error!” ?

 

[nae sporran]

I understand your frustration @nae sporran - I remember asking the continence nurse to phone so I could be there when she visited my dad. She didn’t and I had to wait another month for an appointment ?. That wasn’t the only example of nhs incompetence but it was one of the worst!

I had to smile at your title - it reminded me of Spock turning to McCoy in Star Trek and saying “I had no idea you were trained, doctor - watching you, I’d assumed it was trial and error!” ?

Thanks Bunpoots ?

 

[Palerider]

It`s all about communication isn`t it @nae sporran. If it was as it should be it might reduce your levels of stress. This is what doesn`t seem to be appreciated but those tending to C/

I agree my chief complaint has been about the lack of or poor communication between services. Its hard enough without having to do somebody elese job for them as well.

 

[Janey B]

I shouldn't really have put it like that as my brother works for the NHS. Yesterday was my day off, photo walking group in the morning while the care worker was here and 3 hours in the afternoon while the befriending / sitting care worker was here. The district nurse came while I was out. She checked C over thoroughly and found no problems. The only reason I know this is because the care worker told me this morning. Had the two not spoken in the hall of our flat complex I would be none the wiser. We are waiting for a referral for a gel cushion to reduce the chance of pressure sores and that was never mentioned, so have no idea what is happening. The nurse practitioner phoned in the afternoon about another change to creams after C's daughter interfered and asked if the district nurse had been. She had visited, but I didn't know and it would seem neither did the practice nurse.
With apologies again to NHS staff it is just so frustrating when I'm already trying my best to be a carer, but am constantly left in the dark or decisions are taken on the advice of someone who is not here to deal with the changes. I have POA and it is registered at the surgery. They have an out of date contact number for the district nurses who now work for a private firm whose number (once I finally tracked it down) goes straight to a manager's answer phone.
Dementia Navigator gave me some good advice on what to ask for at a care needs assessment, so I'll email that in the afternoon. I just hope social services are more communicative and nobody interferes.
Thanks for reading and best wishes to you all in your struggles.

I have found a communication book most helpful. Use an A5 diary and write what you need for the day i.e PWD not eaten breakfast can you see if they will have something later. Ask the carers/helpers to comment on their visit i. e PWD had a drink and biscuits 11am or they enjoyed a game of cards. Just so you can understand what has happened in your absence.
Although a white board can be helpful sometimes we don’t always want our person with dementia to read the comments. I keep ours in the desk drawer and my OH is not aware it’s there.

 

[nae sporran]

The care visitors are usually pretty good @Janey B. I'm usually around in the evenings and we tend to get the same three or four in the mornings who do report any concerns next time I see them. It's the way nurses don't always communicate the same way and the fact the nurse practitioner was here for half an hour discussing a care plan sensibly, but then changed the rules after talking to C's daughter on the phone. Someone who has only been here 3 times in four and a half years and who can't even organise her own life should not be allowed to interfere. I have tried to tell her, but have had more luck communicating with cats.

 

[Jessbow]

If you dont have regular carers, you dont have a red folder I guess.

Our carers filled it in every time they called in/Gave care, and the district nurse would too.

It was useful- as it detailed meds & such like & if there was a need to call an ambulance it always went with Mum,

I found it very useful, maybe you could instigate something like that? Have eveyone fill it in so you have a record

Ours lived in the hall, with a pen attached

 

[nae sporran]

The other annoying thing @Jessbow is that the carers now register their calls on a computer system and despite requests I can't get access to the system. They used to do it all in a book I could read, but not for about a year. A wee book on a string by the front door would be great, but in the age of pointless technology (I used to be an electronics tech too) it will be ignored I fear.

 

[jennifer1967]

even nurses etc actually write the notes up on their laptop. the white board maybe a problem with data protection as can be seen by numerous people but the file system @Jessbow suggested would be good. in carehomes, they have medical folders for district nurse, physio to fill out as to the problem, diagnosis and treatment. any other planned treatment. gives a record for other specialists to read. also used by gp to instruct on treatment. another folder is care plan and daily records of what they eat, meds etc. couldnt they just write a couple of notes rather than just concerns?

 

[nae sporran]

even nurses etc actually write the notes up on their laptop. the white board maybe a problem with data protection as can be seen by numerous people but the file system @Jessbow suggested would be good. in carehomes, they have medical folders for district nurse, physio to fill out as to the problem, diagnosis and treatment. any other planned treatment. gives a record for other specialists to read. also used by gp to instruct on treatment. another folder is care plan and daily records of what they eat, meds etc. couldnt they just write a couple of notes rather than just concerns?

If I can get someone to reply to my email and phone call to the Community Nursing manager that is a plan I will propose. Thanks.

 

[nae sporran]

I got a call from the Community Nurse local manager. They don't make appointments, just go through the list based on priority. I now know the cushion is coming tomorrow, but the contractor responsible is not the most reliable. Still, the nurses are coming back on Wednesday when I am likely to be home most of the day and I have the correct number at last. It's the one they told me a year or so ago was no longer valid, but when I called it to check it works.
They will discharge C on Wednesday if the cushion fits and works, so I'll leave the other parts knowing I have a phone number to call if they need to come out again and I can check in advance what is likely to happen.
Like everything else in life it is not perfect, but I have so much to worry about it will do. Thanks again for your advice everyone, always appreciated.

 

[jennifer1967]

I got a call from the Community Nurse local manager. They don't make appointments, just go through the list based on priority. I now know the cushion is coming tomorrow, but the contractor responsible is not the most reliable. Still, the nurses are coming back on Wednesday when I am likely to be home most of the day and I have the correct number at last. It's the one they told me a year or so ago was no longer valid, but when I called it to check it works.
They will discharge C on Wednesday if the cushion fits and works, so I'll leave the other parts knowing I have a phone number to call if they need to come out again and I can check in advance what is likely to happen.
Like everything else in life it is not perfect, but I have so much to worry about it will do. Thanks again for your advice everyone, always appreciated.

thats all you were asking for from them but they have a long-winded way of doing things

 

[nae sporran]

thats all you were asking for from them but they have a long-winded way of doing things

I'm getting to old to expect anything to be easy, but it would be nice if someone made the effort. ?

 

[DennyD]

As said by others, I also think it is all about communication. Good communication is lacking because of the unworkable systems in place compounded by rushing around and the need for documenting everything. And herein lies another problem, documentation in my experience is poor. It comes down to how confident the staff member is. Staff competence comes in part through having confidence in their own ability but also being confident and able in establishing good relationships with the carer and the cared-for. I think there are a multitude of factors at play, for one the services create expectations and unfortunately are not always able to live to it.