My mother, Helen, was taken to the William Harvey A and E on Saturday January 11th after a fall. I was not with her at the time- and her carers alerted the ambulance. She was kept in A and E all day, and I have no complaints with the medical staff who seemed to be treating her with respect when I rang up. However she was discharged at about 4.00 pm and then had to wait for transport till about 7.30. She was then taken back to her home in Adisham, Nr Canterbury and summarily dumped at her house. By good luck a neighbour had gone over in the dark to check things out- and she showed them where the door was and found the key, about which they had no information, despite the carer furnishing the hospital with it. They then left her in the house and presumed that the neighbour would be looking after her. The neighbour also commented that both ambulance staff were singularly lacking in empathy. This is all bad enough, but, prior to her discharge, one of the medical staff assured me that she would be supported by the ICTT when she arrived home- and would be visited by them afterwards. None of this has been put in place- and my Mum has subsequently had another fall within 24 hours. When I rang A and E again to talk to the ICTT, they were unable to put me in touch because of patient confidentiality!! I have included my mum's name and where she lives so the poor practice of this particular after care can be identified.
"Appalling discharge procedure"
About: William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) William Harvey Hospital (Ashford) Ashford TN24 0LZ
Posted via nhs.uk
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