Mum Sick and in Hospital.

Jimmy's Mum had a nasty fall and fractured her upper arm and shoulder the week before last. She was taken from the nursing home to RBWH. The home failed to notify the family immeadiately of the event, therfore she had been in emergency medicine for quite a while before we were aware of the situation. I contacted DEM and spoke to her treating Registrar trying to sway him into keeping her in for a couple of days, at least. I knew what the answere was even before I spoke, but felt it was worth a try. It is their policy not to occupy a bed unnecessarily.
A few days later she was in great pain and Jimmy's sisters decided that she needed hospital care. Again I tried to reason with the staff in DEM, but to no avail. Again she was discharged after a few hours observation. The girls stayed at RBWH with their Mum till 4.00am. We visited her in the nursing home the following day. She was in great distress and in obvious pain. The staff told us it was just a bowel problem and instructed her to breath deeply through the pain. We were becoming very agitated with the complacency of the staff.
I must add, that there were a couple of very caring staff members. Jimmy's brother arrived just as we were leaving and he felt helpless also. The girls then visited in the afternoon and immediately took Mum back to the RBWH against the wishes of the nursing home.
This time the hospital recognized the fact that she was a very ill lady and admitted her to a ward. She stayed in from 24th December till today, 29th December.
Jimmy, Troy Elise and Savanna went to visit her today as we were advised that she would be keept in for a couple of days longer. They just missed her. She was taken back to the nursing home.
This points out the state of our health system and the lack of care given to patients especially aged care patients. It is absolutaly woefull. The community is only effected when a loved one needs care.