My relative was admitted in late last year with a jaw bone infection. They received treatment from the ENT and ID teams. After they went home their health continued to deteriorate to the point where they were readmitted via a flight from the Kimberley where they lives, under general medical with malnutrition.
Despite the doctor who saw them mentioning some of their issues are likely to be related to depression, they were fed with via Nasogastric tube and discharged out the hospital 5 days later with the information to their primary practitioner being "care complete". Information on the summary for my relative just listed their up coming appointments. They were given supplements but as they couldn't carry them they left them in the hospital unknown to their relative who collected them.
On discharge they were unable to care for themselves. They had a fall at home in the first week and mentioned they also had a fall in the hospital just before they were discharged.
Luckily they have a caring family. We linked them in with the fabulous team at Derbal Yerrigan. They have supported my relative's rehabilitation for their mental health, physiotherapy, arranged supply of supplements from dietetics at RPH. We have worked hard since an admission earlier this year to enable my relative to be more independent and they were starting to prepare their own breakfast and able to walk small distances without their walker.
Then last month they were suddenly readmitted by the ENT team as the infection has re-emerged and spread. They had had an MRI on recently and the ENT team saw my relative in the morning and said they would discuss their case with the team and they were to attend the ENT clinic at 30 minutes later to discuss the outcome.
At this point my relative called me. I work nearby and was able to come immediately. At my relative's request I attended their appointment with them. I expressed my concerns about their deterioration and mentioned they were having trouble eating again due to the infection. I also mentioned how the family has had to become full time carers since my relative's last admission and we needed to be involved in the discharge planning. They said there was no plan to discharge my relative and they would be happy to work with the family. At my suggestion they also arranged an allied health review.
I have been to the hospital most days as my relative has been confused and upset after each time the ENT team have come through. My relative has significant hearing loss due to the condition they are treating but I feel they still talk to my relative like they completely understand. It is taking my relative a long time to eat, but I believe because it is seemingly convenient for their day they insist on interrupting my relative's breakfast everyday on their rounds and today sent my relative for a hearing test while they were trying to finish their breakfast.
My relative thought they were going to see them again after the hearing test as asked me to come again to talk to the doctors to find out what is happening. I am unable to be informed normally as no one has asked my relative if they would like anyone except their other relative who lives in Albany.
More recently I was told what was happening and that they were ready for discharge as soon as HITH could be arranged.
I am very concerned for my relative's welfare but the doctor I spoke to basically admitted they need to do what works for them and not consider my relative's complex family arrangements. They did at least admit they would not send my relative home if it wasn't safe but given their apparent attitude to collaborative care and what I feel was the very poor discharge planning from last time I don't have faith in their words.
I am now waiting for the Ward MDT meeting to see if allied health are happy to clear my relative for discharge as I understand the team have made this plan without checking in with them and told my relative that this is what is going to happen.
Now I have to phone other relatives who will likely drop everything so they can continue to care for our relative.
The ENT team seem to be stepping back from my relative's care but have suggested they would prefer them to be cared for in Perth so they can keep an eye on them without considering the needs of his current carers.
Seeing the whole me
Please do better.
Staff attitude