"Communication to family and discharge from neurology"

My spouse was transferred from another hospital to Box Hill neurology a few months ago after suffering possibly another stroke and having a very weak heart rate. They have already suffered 2 strokes and have no feeling down their right side and get very disorientated and confused and have memory loss. At this time family could only visit for 2 hours per day so we were told to come in the afternoon of the next day as they would be having tests done in the morning. Which was fine. Thinking we would be kept up to date by doctors as to my spouse's progress.

We had one call from the pharmacist to ask about medications and next from someone in the afternoon to say my spouse was being discharged and we can collect them from the transit lounge. Apparently, they needed the bed. 

Doctors apparently had spoken to my spouse who couldn’t remember what was said. No one checked to see if we were ok to have them home and had all the correct equipment to look after them. My spouse went into hospital able to walk but came out needing a walker to get around. Still using a walker a few months later. Unable to shower or toilet themselves. Now can toilet with a proper seat but can’t shower themselves. So their needs had changed. 

They also mentioned in the discharge papers that my spouse was exaggerating their weakness in their right side. This was very distressing as my spouse tries so hard to move and use their side and really is the same as it was since the first stroke a few years ago.

I believe families need to be consulted before neurology patients are discharged and to have my spouse in the transit lounge was not ideal for them or us. 

Just wanting to bring this to your attention so it doesn’t happen to anyone else. Was very upsetting, as their spouse, to have no understanding or knowledge of what was going on with them.  

Other times they have been in Box Hill their care has been wonderful but this time was concerning. 

Also, my spouse struggled with ordering their meals on the screen but I did speak to a nurse in the morning who did help them.