Rant alert

[Dogsabighelp]

So I just phoned hospital.I couldn't really understand nurses accent but the gist of what she was saying was that my boys peg tube is leaking?no one around for an x ray until 2 morrow so just giving him fluids.so I was polite but firm pointed out that now I would be worrying and that I also have not spoken to a consultant for 2 weeks.I insisted that she was to be sure to leave a msg for consultant to ring me in morning and asked her name.I'm fuming...

[New_beginning]

Im afraid, its common to leak sadly and luckily nurses are trained to monitor and treat, it may be with moving and handling, this has triggered the leak however rightly so this should of been dealt with asap rather having to wait for treatment. Im sorry youve had a distraught day with this news, call as many times until consultant returns call. Write all your concerns down to help keep on track when having a rant which will be tearful, so have tissues and water at hand. X

[123Bereft]

Again, this has been my constant struggle, I have had to fight for every bit of news from the hospital. I wrongly presumed that because there was no visiting I would get regular updates. I hope your son's feed tube gets sorted soon. Rant away, I feel your pain.

[Dogsabighelp in reply to 123Bereft]

Hiya,I'm well up for it today me love.bad enough I can't go and see him even when vaccinated, but when I can't even understand what I'm being told!now I'm seeming to recall her saying there was a problem with his legs?someone had better ring me today or I'm going to start getting mean,really mean..

[Nanapal in reply to Dogsabighelp]

Hi, we found ourselves in the same position whilst our son was in the acute hospital ( thankfully Walkergate Rehabilitation is the complete opposite). Only when the hospital admitted their failings in our sons care did this prompt them to look at how they as a ward dealt with our sons care and communication with us. They decided a nominated staff member would give us a weekly telephone call to inform us of all/ any changes - daily if any serious issues warranted it. It is so hard to get through to acute hospitals ( it is appreciated staff are very busy & at times understaffed). As we put across families in our position ( patients who are unable to use mobiles/ unable to speak etc) need some communication from staff. Maybe you could request something similar where you receive a tel call from a nominated staff member who is fully aware of how your son is doing - information from consultant etc - not knowing is so hard to deal with. Take care. Nanapal x

[Dogsabighelp in reply to Nanapal]

You are totally correct and this is what I'll be doing today.in 3 months there has only been twice when a nurse has put the phone to his ear!what can I do when he can't speak?I'm not even sure if he can see.someone had better ring me today..hopefully rehab soon,I'm hoping walkergate like you..x

[Dogsabighelp in reply to Nanapal]

Ooh I've just seen you got to see your boy y/ day.I'm so happy for you👍

[Pairofboots]

If you don't get any satisfaction today, contact the PALs (Patient Liaison) office, and ask them to assist.

[Kezza72]

Don’t worry about his peg leaking, it’s quite a common and easily rectified problem. Ask them to do a FaceTime call, that way you can see him and he you. Most hospitals have this set up due to the pandemic.

OMG I worked at Walkergate years ago when the old hospital was there!

It pretty poor the amount of communication you are getting. My ICU consultants ring relatives regularly. I also ring relatives with updates twice a day (when I’m working a day shift) I’ve been on the other side and know what it’s like to receive poor communication and not being able to see a loved one. A lot of nurses won’t or don’t do it but the feedback I’ve had from my relatives is that they receive more thorough updates from me than what the Drs give, it reassures them and they are so grateful that I have taken some time off the unit to call them. I work mainly on a Covid ICU at the moment so relatives cannot hear me over the phone when I have full PPE and a respirator mask on, so I ring them off the unit just before I go for a break. If I were you I would make a complaint, you don’t have to go through the ward, you can go through PALS. I’m afraid to say but it’s likely we will have another peak/lockdown so it needs to addressed x

[Dogsabighelp in reply to Kezza72]

Thanks for reply kez,a consultant rang me y/ day and apologised told me that they would be having a meet to decide how I can be better informed( only taken 12 weeks!)