"My parent's discharge"

My elderly parent had a recent admission to Merredin Hospital, with sepsis from a wound on their foot. At a subsequent family conference, we were informed by a clinician that they hadn’t been expected to survive, which is understandable but at no stage prior to the meeting had there been any discussion of my parent’s expected demise. My other parent was stunned by this news.

My parent has significant mobility issues and I believe it was very clear they had been deconditioned whilst unwell. This would be expected. I asked that they see a physiotherapist and this was agreed to. I asked that a referral to rehab be investigated, this was agreed to.

In the family conference, the attending GP and the earlier clinician did not agree to my parent being discharged to home, despite them having a home care package and I had arranged twice daily visits. I was advised if my parent was discharged to home, it would be a discharge against medical advice.

A few days later, I was informed by the clinician my parent wasn’t able to go into rehab as they were considered too old. I took this at face value as I had had the same issue early last year, where it seemed Merredin Hospital struggled with my request that my parent be referred to rehab and I had to advocate for them. I wrongly assumed I wouldn’t be fobbed off again. This incident was very very unpleasant for the family as it would have been for the staff who I felt did their utmost to block me.

However, again, I made my own direct enquiry to the sub-acute unit in a different hospital and discovered there isn’t an age limit. My parent was approved a bed so they can be assessed for either discharge to home or into full time care. Thank you to these services and the Merredin OT for assisting me to where I believe my parent needed to be, to enable them to be as fit as possible.

I took my parent home, for a few days, whilst waiting for the next step. I signed the discharge against medical advice. Whilst I was caring for my parent I noticed they had an extremely unpleasant rash that I started immediately treating. There was significant improvement within 24 hours.

I feel it beggars belief that I had to sign a DAMA so I could help my parent. They rarely saw the physio, there wasn’t an exercise regime that I could see, they were suffering a skin rash that I believe would not have occurred if regular hygiene needs had been met. The staff at Merredin said they were very busy and I do understand but I believe there should be a routine where standard hygiene requirements are met on a regular basis and skin issues nipped in the bud when they occur. This was especially important for my parent, given they are recently post sepsis, frail and elderly.

My parent is currently in the sub-acute unit at the other hospital and being seen by a raft of health care professionals, including the wound care clinic.