Our glorious NHS... help / advice please?
Discussion
First the good bit. Mum broke her hip, and went to A+E at Kingston Hospital. Within 48 hours she had her half hip replacement. This means they had the right parts in stock, all assessments done, consent gained, scans, x-rays, all teams worked together and the result was a fast, successful operation. She has started physio, she is being monitored well, and her medication and nutrition is being adjusted daily to support her recovery. This is the world-class NHS we hear about in action.
Now the reason for this message. Mum is almost deaf and only hears with the help of hearing aids. these have both stopped working since she has been in hospital. We asked for these to be fixed, but today were told that audiology would not fix them, as they came from Epsom hospital. Now I find this difficult to believe, but apparantly the nurse told my brother she would have to go to Epsom hospital to get them fixed... the same nurse that said Mum could be in hospital for a couple of weeks.
Mum also has vascular dementia and macular degeneration. Her hearing is therefore important in maintaining her connection with the real world. When her stimuli are restricted, she becomes more divorced from reality. This will increase the time she occupies a hospital bed, and reduce the chance of her returning to living independently in her own home. It seems our glorious NHS can fix a broken hip in 2 days, but is unable to provide a functioning hearing aid to one of their patients within 2 weeks.
Anyone able to help, or suggest a way forward? Either with general advice, or anything specific to Kingston hospital?
Now the reason for this message. Mum is almost deaf and only hears with the help of hearing aids. these have both stopped working since she has been in hospital. We asked for these to be fixed, but today were told that audiology would not fix them, as they came from Epsom hospital. Now I find this difficult to believe, but apparantly the nurse told my brother she would have to go to Epsom hospital to get them fixed... the same nurse that said Mum could be in hospital for a couple of weeks.
Mum also has vascular dementia and macular degeneration. Her hearing is therefore important in maintaining her connection with the real world. When her stimuli are restricted, she becomes more divorced from reality. This will increase the time she occupies a hospital bed, and reduce the chance of her returning to living independently in her own home. It seems our glorious NHS can fix a broken hip in 2 days, but is unable to provide a functioning hearing aid to one of their patients within 2 weeks.
Anyone able to help, or suggest a way forward? Either with general advice, or anything specific to Kingston hospital?
If I were in your shoes, I'd be ringing the audiology department at Epsom hospital first thing tomorrow and explaining the situation to them and asking if they can help you. They'll have a record of what they've supplied to her, so hopefully they can provide replacements. They should also appreciate the implications of her not having them for a period of time.
I hope you manage to get it sorted out quickly.
I hope you manage to get it sorted out quickly.
Bluesgirl said:
If I were in your shoes, I'd be ringing the audiology department at Epsom hospital first thing tomorrow and explaining the situation to them and asking if they can help you. They'll have a record of what they've supplied to her, so hopefully they can provide replacements. They should also appreciate the implications of her not having them for a period of time.
I hope you manage to get it sorted out quickly.
Good idea, thanks, will take the Epsom phone number to work with me tomorrow. It's just frustrating that there's an audiology dept at Kingston, but they won't just do it...I hope you manage to get it sorted out quickly.
Sheepshanks said:
Emailed that, thanks, the auto-reply says they'll look at it within 5 days... hence this thread! Will also take their phone number to work tomorrow.PALS is also useful to help you navigate the system.
But, have you/someone replaced the batteries and cleaned the tubes? For both to fail at the same time suggests it's not a breakage as such.
ETA and if you need any advice on how to sort them ask here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
FETA a lot of hearing aid departments have drop in clinics for breakages. Could you or another family member take the aids to one of those. Ignoring the whole wrong hospital bit, audiology departments aren't really set up for inpatient work.
But, have you/someone replaced the batteries and cleaned the tubes? For both to fail at the same time suggests it's not a breakage as such.
ETA and if you need any advice on how to sort them ask here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
FETA a lot of hearing aid departments have drop in clinics for breakages. Could you or another family member take the aids to one of those. Ignoring the whole wrong hospital bit, audiology departments aren't really set up for inpatient work.
Edited by Bill on Tuesday 5th July 08:00
deeen said:
Bluesgirl said:
If I were in your shoes, I'd be ringing the audiology department at Epsom hospital first thing tomorrow and explaining the situation to them and asking if they can help you. They'll have a record of what they've supplied to her, so hopefully they can provide replacements. They should also appreciate the implications of her not having them for a period of time.
I hope you manage to get it sorted out quickly.
Good idea, thanks, will take the Epsom phone number to work with me tomorrow. It's just frustrating that there's an audiology dept at Kingston, but they won't just do it...I hope you manage to get it sorted out quickly.
Badda said:
Epsom and Kingston are different groups of hospital which doesn’t help. Any reason mum wasn’t taken to st Helier for the op?
Operation came about from a 999 call where carer found Mum on the floor, ambulance driver took her to Kingston as the quickest place to get in on the day. From first response to operation was excellent, couldn't be faulted... which kinda made the thought that a hospital can't get their audiology dept to deal with a patient even more strange!deeen said:
Sheepshanks said:
Emailed that, thanks, the auto-reply says they'll look at it within 5 days... hence this thread! Will also take their phone number to work tomorrow.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff