Refused rehab

[Cornwal]

Dad as psp he was took into hospital 3 weeks ago with a chest infection which responded well to antibiotics. We got told a week ago that as he his medically fit next step was physio wants him to go to rehab for a couple of weeks to get him steady on his feet again as he was when he went in to hospital as he is not safe on his feet to go home .now been told the 3 rehab hubs in our area won't take him on as he as psp anyone else come across this .thanks x

[Hidden]

Do you think your father would benefit from rehab? Is he still mobile enough?

[Cornwal in reply to Hidden]

Yes he is mobile enough the physio as him walking up and down the wards with a Zimmer frame and up and down the steps but she can only see him in hospital for 10 minutes twice a day .it was the physios idea for rehab as she thinks he would benefit from it as rehab would be able to give him more physio time .

[AJK2001]

My Mum did go to a Rehab place in Cheshire and it didn't turn out to be what we had expected and I wished we hadn't gone that route, the only positive that came out of it was that Mum accepted she needed more care in order to get home. Mum was at the stage where she could get up but wasn't too steady, because they didn't want her moving unaided they put her walking frame out of reach, so she would then use the bed as a support to go and get it. She fell more than once, so they put an alarm on her that went off if she tried to get up, she felt like she was in prison or worse. I think these places may work well if they are adequately staffed and people can get the right level of attention.

We found the best answer was the Community Rehab Physio team to visit weekly and I took Mum through the exercises in between times. We are still doing this 3 years later, though the exercises have changed as Mum's mobility has decreased.

[BattlingCHC]

Your Dad's in hospital now, isn't he, so your bargaining position is quite strong ... Don't allow the hospital to discharge him until he has a rehab care plan in place with physio help already booked. Remind the hospital that it would be an unsafe discharge (key phrase) if he went home without this help as he'd be likely to fall and return to hospital with broken bones or similar problems. Hospitals have to report failed discharges (which is what your Dad's would be likely to be) and they count against them when their performance is monitored. The number of failed discharges is fast rising and is of major concern to the hospitals as well as to patients and their families.

PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THE HOSPITAL TO DISCHARGE YOUR DAD UNTIL YOU'VE GOT PROOF IN WRITING THAT THE REHAB PLAN HAS AGREED BY ALL THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONALS AND IS SCHEDULED TO START WITHIN A DAY OR SO OF YOUR DAD COMING HOME. Verbal promises are worth nothing.

If the hospital staff jib and say you're making unreasonable demands of their administrative capacity- as they may well do because clerical support is in short supply too - stand your ground and be prepared to escalate your case up the chain to the hospital managers, your MP and the press. However much you sympathise with the plight of other patients in need of medical help and the plight of the skilled, caring NHS staff trying against the odds to provide that help, your Dad only has you to fight for him. Being willing and prepared to be an absolute pain if you don't get reasonable requests met often means you don't have to fight at all.

Ask the helpful physio to put her detailed recommendations in writing about the kind of physio your Dad needs to get him back on his feet again; and what benefits (to his health and to his chances of not falling and staying out of hospital in the near future). Make sure you get a copy of her advice.

If necessary, ask for a PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED Community Occupation Therapist to assess your Dad and your Dad's home to see what therapy and other assistance (eg specialised equipment) must be provided for him to be safe at home. Insist on having a professionally qualified Occupation Therapist to do this assessment - Assistant Occupation Therapists are often untrained to make the decisions they're commonly required to make and their lack of knowledge can harm patients' well-being.

Good luck. It's not going to be easy. However, I speak as someone who ensured my Mum was given the extended care in a community hospital that she needed (the acute hospital wanted to discharge her straight home).

[doglington]

When Chris was in hospital I knew I was in the strongest position as they want to discharge.

Chris then needed palliative care and I got what I wanted by saying very firmly that I couldn't cope any longer without help.

Reading others on this site it seems a bit of a post code lottery . Good luck.

Jean

[Suebatt]

Hi cornwal

I just noticed text on here

I agree with what’s been said but when Archie was in hospital they tried everything to either send him somewhere or home

I always told them to take a running jump and to get things in place at home and I mean everything he needed .unfortunately

I I never rated them cause all he was was a bed to be available again tell them he’s not going anywhere till he’s sorted for HOME .If you get he needs to vacate say tough he’s there till something gets sorted the report it to pals they will help you and the hospital social worker and Matron together

I hope you get sorted and just stick to your guns

Take care

Sue xx

[Cornwal]

Thanks everyone for your advice and sue that's what we plan on doing .waiting on a meeting with social services physio who said he needed rehab and matron thanks again x