Recently my elderly parent came in for major surgery. Once out of the operation they were in ICU due to a heart condition as well as poor breathing. Before going in we were told that they would stay in hospital for 3-4 nights.
Soon after, my parent told me that they were going home. They told the doctors that their back and stomach was sore as well as the cuts were bleeding. They were told that’s okay, it will pass. They were given a tray for morning tea, which was then taken back off them 5 minutes later as they said they needed the bed and you are going home.
As next of kin I was not called to be told of this. I think this is very poor of the hospital staff due to their age and health condition. My parent was sent home via a taxi and not asked if anyone would be home. They were also sent home with no pain relief.
That night they were in a lot of pain but refused to go back to the hospital as they felt they didn't want them there.
Has our health system gotten that bad that the elderly don’t feel they could call for help?
I feel that the staff at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) failed in their duty of care and this isn't good enough.
As next to kin I should have been told when my parent was moved from ICU to a ward which I wasn’t as well as the plan to send them home. Very poor judgement on the staff at RPH.
My parent is still feeling the effects and yesterday I came across an envelope the hospital staff gave my them, but due to their memory has only just shown me. Inside the envelopment was very important information including medication that they should have been taken since last week. The medication is four days late.
"Duty of care"
About: Royal Perth Hospital / Acute Surgical Ward 6G Royal Perth Hospital Acute Surgical Ward 6G Perth 6000
Posted by sunjb98 (as ),
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