Recently at approx. 9pm my brother rang for an ambulance to come to Mum's home as she had suffered Chronic Diarrhoea nearly all day and we were worried about her dehydrating. Mum has suffered with this problem for several years and her doctor prescribes Lomotil on a regular basis. However this time it didn't clear up. Along with this my very elderly mum has a catheter, diabetes, heart stenosis, some memory loss, plus other health issues. ambulance admitted Mum at 11.30pm.
At 1.30 am in the morning someone in emergency ordered a taxi, gave her a voucher and sent her home. No family were called to pick her up. She had no walking frame which she has to always use at home, no shoes, or slippers on as none were put on her at home and she is rarely without something on her feet. (That's probably remiss of my brother because they were soiled).
The taxi driver at least shone his lights on the door which was locked. Mum then skirted around the veranda, bare foot, no frame and in the dark by then, dodging many obstacles on the quite long journey around to knock on her sleeping son's window to let her in.
I rang the hospital around 7ish later that morning to be told Mum had been discharged and I couldn't comprehend that fact. Let alone when I went to the house and found her recounting the full story the next morning. I was blown away. I thought how the heck in this day and age could this happen to our elderly citizens. Her Carer came to her that same day when she took ill again and attended to Mum's needs nearly all day.
"Is this appropriate care of the vulnerable elderly?"
About: Armadale Hospital / Emergency Department Armadale Hospital Emergency Department Armadale 6112
Posted by My vulnerable mum (as ),
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