Family 'outraged' over QA hospital care after 87-year-old was discharged with pneumonia
Maureen Ryan returned to hospital with breathing difficulties hours after being discharged
A woman who was discharged from Queen Alexandra Hospital while she had pneumonia was kept in a bed next to an open window under a thin sheet, prompting outrage from her family.
Maureen Ryan, 87, was admitted to hospital with aspirational pneumonia in July. She was discharged from hospital three times, however her family felt she was “not fit to leave hospital" on all occasions.
Now they are demanding answers from hospital bosses as to how and why it happened as the pensioner remains in hospital.
“This has resulted in a lot of stress and pain for the family, particularly my father who is suffering from bowel cancer at 92,” said Maureen’s son, Kevin Ryan.
"I was told by the hospital that on Friday October 2nd, she was fit for discharge and to be taken to Harry Sotnick House, a nursing home.
“I pleaded with the medical team that she didn't look well enough to be discharged and was still suffering with her breathing. They told me that transport was booked, and she was going to the nursing home, end of.”
Mrs Ryan was discharged to the nursing home at around 10am on Saturday October 3, but was rushed back to hospital later that day.
“She was there for four hours, before the nursing home called an ambulance as she was struggling to breathe and she was taken back to hospital,” said Mr Ryan.
“On being examined and x-rayed in A&E, it was said that mum had a chest infection with fluid on the chest and lungs, and possibly pneumonia causing problems to her breathing, chest and heart.
“Mum has stayed in hospital with pneumonia since and has been on strong antibiotics. Daily, we were finding (there was) only one sheet on the bed and the window wide open.
“She has a drinking glass instead of a beaker, which she can't use because of a tremor, and she’s not being changed regularly. We have reported this daily but we are finding the same problems.”
The family have sent numerous complaints to the hospital, and are meeting with the CEO of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
“It is unbelievable how they can treat a frail old lady like this,” said Mr Ryan.
A spokesperson for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: “We are sorry to hear about the concerns raised by Mrs Ryan's family and recognise how distressing this experience has been for them.
“We take all concerns about patient care seriously and investigate every complaint fully. We also recognise the importance of keeping families informed and responding to their concerns. In this instance, we have completed our detailed investigation and arranged a meeting for Mrs Ryan’s family and our senior clinicians to discuss the outcome.
“Our priority is always to provide safe, high-quality, and compassionate care, and discharge decisions are based on each patient’s individual clinical needs and the arrangements required to support their ongoing care.
“We encourage patients and families to speak to the ward team if they have immediate concerns about a patient’s condition and to escalate them, including via our Outreach Team, if appropriate.”