How to organise a hospital visit when severely disabled. — Scope | Disability forum
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How to organise a hospital visit when severely disabled.

Nashville
Nashville Community member Posts: 18 Connected
So my friend who is severely disabled after a devastating stroke had an appointment at an outpatient clinic.  An ambulance came to collect him but wouldn’t take the power chair on board so he went in a normal wheelchair and got dropped off at the hospital entry.  A Porter then wheeled him to his first appointed location and left him.  From then on he got found and wheeled from place to place for about 6 hours always being left by the porters involved and then waited in a holding area for about 3 hours for transport home. No food, no drink, no change of pad.   At one point his name was called out but he couldn’t speak up as his speech is compromised. All very difficult and disturbing.  Almost third world.  I am new to all this so am asking advice as to how to organise his next hospital outpatient session.  I have contacted Pals to express my disquiet.  I live about 250 miles away so cannot accompany him.  He has carers for 43 hours a week and lives in an extra care facility.  You would think that was enough to protect him.  His experience was so bad he is reluctant to attend any more appointments and who can blame him?

your advice is sought. Many thanks in advance.
Nashville


Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi 

    I am sorry to hear about your friends experience 

    When booking transport you need to tell them what equipment or wheelchair they are expected to take on board 

    I would say though if would be better if his carer could accompany him 

    The normal wait time for pick up if pre booked return is 90 mins with the ambulance transport I have 

    He could also speak to his consultant or gp to see if there are any other services available 
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 46,788 Disability Gamechanger
    edited May 2021
    @Nashville thats an awful experience your friend had, I cant blame him for not wanting to try it again.  Its quite a scary feeling when you can't communicate too. It is best to have someone with him, if he lives in extra care facility, could one of the carers there accompany him?  Do any relatives etc live hear by that could go. If you do get someone to go with him, you will have to book the ambulance with escort too. 
    It would make him feel better about going if he had company. If none of those suggestions above are a no go, does he have a social worker that could get involved who may be able to help, might be worth a try. Failing all that then some care agency's might be able to find an escort but it will occur costs which a social worker might be able to sort funding.
  • Nashville
    Nashville Community member Posts: 18 Connected
    The extra care facility carers are paid for.  They organised the transport it seems and wheeled him to the door and presumably wheeled him back to his flat when he got dropped off.   He was at the hospital for over 7 hours so I assume the carers couldn’t accommodate 7 hours of care.  He pays for his care so that would be about £150.  I am getting on to a local charity to see if they have any volunteers available to just be with him and speak up when his name is called. 

    thanks all for your help so far.  No relatives nearby and no friends stepping forward.  I am beginning to think a care home might be a better option than an extra care facility as the duty of care rules are more defined.

    rgds

    nashville
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 46,788 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @Nashville its most unfortunate he was 7 hours, I'm presuming thats because he had no one with him,  a local charity escort would be good. I'm thinking you might be right in looking at residential care, I'm unsure how different in costs this would be , but might benefit your friend as they could send a staff member on hospital visits or they used to. 
  • Nashville
    Nashville Community member Posts: 18 Connected
    The whole situation changes when it is impossible to advocate for oneself.  janer’s suggestion of speaking to a gp is impossible as he cannot use the phone and gps are not visiting - I email his gp  but never get a reply and just hope my concerns are acted upon.  He hasn’t taken on board who his consultant is and there appears to be no paperwork.  Being in the care of a succession of carers each not really taking any responsibility is difficult.  I shall be so glad when volunteers are able to visit - both his life and mine will be better.  As for booking the ambulance - again carers are doing this.  

    Regarding care homes - does anyone know if there is a list of such homes for disabled rather than old people.  His choice of an extra care facility was to avoid going into an OAP home with predominantly residents with dementia. He pays for himself so location is not particularly relevant.

Brightness