As those of you who have read my posts will know I have had previous reasons to complain aboutt the NHS, however I always thought that although mistakes had been made the people involved had been trying their best. However today I have made a formal complaint. Mum has been very ill for the last month: a fortnight in hospital, and diverse infections, intestinal, uti and now pulmonary. Since Friday when she was seen by an emergency GP and put on antibiotics mum has had a fluctuating temperature going over 39 for much of the time, she is delirious, vomiting and visibly and audibly in pain. you can imagine my distress seeing her like this. This morning, finding her worse and still with a high temperature I went from the CH to the surgery. I explained that I wanted to see the GP and was given a free appointment for a little later. i waited and was seen by the GP. I explained my mother's symptoms expecting the doctor to say that I shouldn't worry and the antibiotic would kick in and that she would review mums pain meds, or to say she needed to see mum. What I didnt expect was her to make no comment about mum's health but to tell me they dont usually talk to relatives and that the care home call them if there is a problem. I asked her if she was therefore not concerned about what I had told her and she replied that that was not so, but the appointment was an emergency appointment ( there was no one in the waiting room)and she had no record of any concerns from the care home. I was so stunned that I just stood up thanked her and left. I sat and cried in the car. I dont believe that one stupid woman could reduce me to tears when I have struggled through caring for mum for so long. I went back to the CH who called out the doctor and surprise surprise it wasnt the uncaring one who came. He diagnosed a pulmonary infection on top of the urinary infection changed the antibiotic and increased mum's pain meds. Mum is still very ill tonight, but I feel better as I filed an official complaint. I can stand people getting things wrong, I can forgive human failing ,but I cannot accept such unkindness. i feel like printing off the hippocratic oath and sending it to the doc with the bits about patient's famillies underlined....
love to all, sorry for the rant........
Ps. Mum makes almost no sense these days. She resists taking her meds, and when the carer tried to get her to take her paracetamol she said she couldn't. The carer asked why and mum replied "because the parrot has ate em all"
love to all, sorry for the rant........
Ps. Mum makes almost no sense these days. She resists taking her meds, and when the carer tried to get her to take her paracetamol she said she couldn't. The carer asked why and mum replied "because the parrot has ate em all"