Advice&guidance needed. PTA patient not getting PTA trained staff & rehab waiting times

[Purplelover25]

hi, i really need some advice and guidance. my partner was in an accident at work on 13th Feb this yr. he's a refrigeration engineer & there was a gas explosion in the trailer he was working on, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, was in a medically induced coma for 10 days and been in post traumatic amnesia since. he was moved to our local major trauma centre as one he was in was 100 odd miles away due to where accident happened, although he was agitated, confused, emotional etc he seemed as comfortable there as he could be and the staff are all fab there with caring for the PTA. he was moved to our local hospital. The hospital he left assured me the local hospital had the staff there who could care for the PTA. heartbreakingly, they do not! he is currently on a cardiology ward. when i raised my concerns they said it is one of their quieter wards and they are experienced in 'challenging behaviours'. i know the move was bound to unsettle him but I've been called back to the hospital a few times as they're unable to settle him. his sister spent the night with him, and his brother stayed with him some of the day. however moving forward it's just not feasible we can be with him constantly. they have assigned someone to stay with him, but even with 2 family members and 3 staff there yesterday he still managed to escape the ward and is constantly agitated, they are giving him meds to calm him but of course they don't work the whole time. I've been told he has been referred to a rehab centre. i rang them yesterday out of sheer frustration that he isnt getting the specialist care i think he should be. they said they thought he still had the tracheostomy in, as he hasn't they'll try and get the neurosurgeon out on Monday to assess him.

so my questions to you guys;

is it normal for PTA patients to be on a ward where there is no staff who specialise in PTA?

how long does it take after assessment for funding to be approved and a bed to become available?

I'm at a total loss here, just doesn't seem right and I just don't know what to do

thank you

[Exhaust]

Hi there . Sorry to hear your about your situation . My daughter was in a RTA 15 months ago and has a severe brain injury . ICU for 6 weeks acute medical ward for 8 weeks with very little support for PTA myself family and friends supported /cared for her 14 hrs a day ( nights were calm ) .... finally got transferred to a rehab unit which sadly wasn't all that !!!! We /she was fortunate (for want of a better word ) there is insurance from the driver of the car . We have a really efficient solicitor and case manager now who sort all her care and therapy. Do you have insurance from the accident? If not look into making a claim . Without this we would be well and truly stuffed . The NHS saved her life but the care in the community is non existent. You really have to be pushy and fight for the best care and support . It is out there . Stay strong .

[Lynd]

My heart goes out to you as I remember those days you are describing. I am afraid this is the beginning of a long journey but rehab will arrive and hopefully things will slowly change for the better.

I was so shocked seeing my husband in that state but hopefully it will pass. Try to orientated him as much as possible and find things you can do together. Reading, music etc.

My husband was trying to get out on a regular basis and had a deprivation of liberty order put on him but it was quickly lifted once he settled down.

Rest and enlist as much help as you can from others.

Ring Headway for support. They helped me a lot in early days.

A lot of us on this forum have been through this. You are not alone x