I have posted 2 or 3 times before about my Mum and wondered if anyone has experienced what I have this afternoon. Mum had been in a wonderful ward for people with dementia with helpful and understanding staff. My only concern was that they couldn't get her medication balanced and she was either very agitated or nearly asleep. Last week she fell and broke her hip and is now in an orthopaedic ward in a large general hospital.
My concern is over the lack of inderstanding of mental health issues. When I arrived this afternoon her tablets were still by her bed, as the staff hadn't been able to get here to take them. So I queried this and they were pleased when she took them from me. Mind you, it took me 20 minutes. I was then concerned because she was really thirsty - the staff hadn't been able to ge her to drink and there was no sign of a drip.
Throughout the afternoon she had got more and more agitated and was in torment. The staff said she'd been like that during the night and the morning. Why don't they seek help from a doctor? The nurse in charge this afternoon seemed out of his depth and I think he found me an annoyance. I asked if there was a psychiatrist who could see Mum because I was very worried about her. He did make a call, and said a doctor would see her today. On leaving I found out that this will be an orthopaedic specialist, who will then get a psychiatrist if necessary. A sister then came on duty and was very helpful and did give Mum some medication to ease the pain and it did calm her down.
What concerns me is that I initiated most of what was dome fo Mum. What if I hadn't been there? She is also blind and profoundly deaf and can't communicate very well.
First thing on Monday I shall be making an appointment to see a doctor. Nobody as yet has approached me as next of kin to give me any information or to ask for any. I can't be the only one who has experienced this.....?
I would find any comments helpful.
Thanks
Jazzy
My concern is over the lack of inderstanding of mental health issues. When I arrived this afternoon her tablets were still by her bed, as the staff hadn't been able to get here to take them. So I queried this and they were pleased when she took them from me. Mind you, it took me 20 minutes. I was then concerned because she was really thirsty - the staff hadn't been able to ge her to drink and there was no sign of a drip.
Throughout the afternoon she had got more and more agitated and was in torment. The staff said she'd been like that during the night and the morning. Why don't they seek help from a doctor? The nurse in charge this afternoon seemed out of his depth and I think he found me an annoyance. I asked if there was a psychiatrist who could see Mum because I was very worried about her. He did make a call, and said a doctor would see her today. On leaving I found out that this will be an orthopaedic specialist, who will then get a psychiatrist if necessary. A sister then came on duty and was very helpful and did give Mum some medication to ease the pain and it did calm her down.
What concerns me is that I initiated most of what was dome fo Mum. What if I hadn't been there? She is also blind and profoundly deaf and can't communicate very well.
First thing on Monday I shall be making an appointment to see a doctor. Nobody as yet has approached me as next of kin to give me any information or to ask for any. I can't be the only one who has experienced this.....?
I would find any comments helpful.
Thanks
Jazzy