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Ann you mentioned earlier that you would leave any complaints re non admission to an appropriate ward after the weekend. I would do it today, the sooner the better.

Please try to get rest yourself. Pleased to hear that you have stated what you can and cannot do- as I mentioned earlier, H must not be discharged without a workable care package. A very worrying time for you.

So glad you are feeling a little better Ann.

Only you can decide whether you can cope with DH at home, either now or in the future, or whether it would be better for him to go to respite for what is now called 'reablement'. If you feel you need more rest before tackling a situation which will be more difficult than before - say so! Don't be pressured into taking DH home unless you are really sure you and he are both ready.

I know it will be difficult for you to think about yourself after all this time of looking after your Dh and the shock and distress you have experienced lately, but you will be no good to your DH unless you are fit and able.

Please take stock and also talk to your children and your lovely granddaughter.

It is a really difficult time for you now and you know we are all here for you if you need to 'talk'.

Glad to hear things are moving. You could try your MP or in desperation the press.
This should not be allowed to happen.

Annsixty, do get all the help and support you can x

Just had a long phone call from OT.
Lots of questions about mobility, home facilities, needs etc.
She and physio are going to see him this morning.
I was very clear about what I can and absolutely cannot do.
I am going in at lunchtime to see if all this has happened.
Feel slightly less down.

I'm sure you have investigated this, ann, but here is a link to the Trust's web page for complaints. www.stockport.nhs.uk/page_708

I hope somewhere, somehow, you can get a satisfactory response.

Ann please don’t get too despondent, of course Mr 60 matters and not only to you. CDU (like MK ‘s Medical Assessen Unit) exists to provide beds pending one freeing up in an appropriate ward (for instance for a woman where there may only be a “male bed” available. Or it can be for a short term stay where it is not worth the upheaval of moving. Once on a ward it is harder to move a patient and under the present pied shortages I suspect there is little flexibility anyway. Paw got to know MAU well and apart from the patient turnover, the care while a bit disorganised was good.
Possibly better to be on CDU than “dumped” on a geriatric Ward. There will still be a Dr overseeing his care and, trust me, decisions are still being made regarding care and transfer. He is NOT being written off.
The PALS office is often near the main entrance so you could pop in, I found the one at the Royal Free excellent and very effective.
But do pursue my point about C.Diff if the ward haven’t addressed it already. More than one stool sample should have been sent for testing if Mr H has diarrhoea, it is a commmon complication but because it is so catching it is one of the bugs , like MRSA or Norovirus which really makes them sit up and take notice. Left to spread it can close a ward.
Good luck and keep positive.
Hoping for better news later today x

I do hope they can get something done soon Ann - this can’t be good for either of you. Going to a phone black spot for a couple of days so hope for much better news when I get back to the Kitchen.

You both matter to us. The telephone number for PAL’s will be on the ward information board or google it for which ever hospital your husband is in. They are there for this kind of thing and it will only help your situation and the only impact on your husbands care will be positive. I really do hope things improve.

Ann the advice re PALS is sound. Also try the Alzheimer's Society to see if they have anyone who can advocate fir you.

Your DH does matter, as do you. You know that you are in our thoughts.

I have only just picked up that your DH is ill and in hospital, Ann. Hope he is improving xx

Oh ann. I wish I could help. Why not approach PALS today? There will be a phone number to call and usually someone will visit your husband and speak with you both. At least some hospital based support. Your husband does matter. Sending love to you both.

It is called the Clinical Decision Unit, right next to A&E.
People are coming and going all the time. He is the only long stay.
The decision ,for him, has obviously been made, it was decided on Sunday what was wrong with him, everybody else has moved on.
It is also being used for patients waiting for discharge, to free up beds, several have gone home from there.
I am getting so cynical I am sorry to say, but he is 82 next month, he really doesn't matter to them, only to me.

Medical Assessment Unit? At MKH it’s known as the sorting office and there was always a high turnover of patients as beds became available on the right ward.
Please don’t forget what I said about C. diff.

Ann that’s a long time without being on a ward. He is presumably not still in A&E though? Maybe a temporary ward before being admitted onto a medical ward? I forget what they are called but DH has been in those a few times. So sorry about the further problem. Poor man. Do ask, as MB suggests, about C.Diff.
Maybe this has all been a necessary catalyst to get things sorted for you both, unpleasant though it all is. Yes, do contact PALS if you need to. I have found them very helpful.

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Good and not so good news then ann, I'm pleased your husband is less confused, that must reduce the worry but sad that he has tummy issues and is still not on a 'proper' ward. N&G is right, being ill isn't for the sick or indeed for those without a family to fight for them. Hope you can sleep well.

Ask to have him tested for C.Diff ansixty, the ab’s of choice for UTI’s seem to lead to it more often than not. If so, he needs barrier nursing in isolation as well as of course a change of ab.
They will jump as they are terrified of it sweeping through a hospital.

Just wanted to pop on for an update from Ann . I can’t believe he’s still not on a ward . Being ill isn’t for the sick is it ?

Hope you see more improvement tomorrow .

I do know I could not cope, even though he told the nurse, "of course she can".
I am in the driving seat now.
Physio had been today and he had a walking frame at the end of his bed,still not weight supporting at all though.

Evening everyone. I have just popped in to check on how annsixty is doing. I’m glad to hear he’s brighter but think it’s awful that he’s not on a ward and his treatment is a bit hit n miss. I expect somone has advised about P.A.L’s they will intervene on your behalf. I hope things get sorted soon. You must be physically and emotionally exhausted annsixty I hope your making time to look after yourself (I bet your not)

Ann so sorry to hear that he has not moved to a ward yet. Please, please do not consider taking him home even if H pleads repeatedly. With all due respect I do not think that you could cope, especially if the diarrhoea is caused by the antibiotics.

You must also look after yourself and try to rest.

He does actually look brighter and his confusion is better than it was on Monday and Tuesday.

No change really, still not on a ward.
I will put in an official complaint after the weekend when he will have been in a week.
He did not get his ab's until I was there this sfternoon, as they had none on the ward.
Pharmacy delivered them after about 2pm.
Can you believe this?
He now has bad diarrhoea, probably from the ab's but when I queried if his diverticular disease could have been triggered, his nurse said they had no idea.
He now just wants to come home but momentarily accepts he can't, until the next time.