He CANNOT be Serious! NHS Hospitals' strategies for emptying Wards?

[Hyacinth]

...(whew!.... one, two, three, and breathe...)

Situation is that laydee in 80s after a fall down a flight of stairs,  was admitted to Stoke Mandeville a coupla weeks ago. Bruised this, broken/fractured that...bad scene...current complication is that a kneecap is also fractured (missed in first X-ray) when they concentrated only on the evident break in her l.leg,  which explains her pain when the OT staff tried to get her to walk ::) but now that's been picked up on, things should go well, although another 2 weeks in H is scheduled....

What's worried me from the Bulletins from the family I've had, is that the laydee is going into a decline a)because of the turn-off from  the H food (she's not a big laydee anyway & can't afford the weight loss) and b) the reported lack of stimulation - no TV etc.etc.?

And so I made some suggestions re: take-ins by the family aT VISITING TIMES(sorry caps!), and also Googled the TV amenities at Stoke Mandeville....(I know they cost an arm-and-a-leg but reckoned she was Quids-In on paying that ;D)....and got this reply from the family spokesperson...

" The ward ***** is in is the Rehabilitation Ward.  TV is for the long-term sick - the people in her ward are broken, not ill.  So part of their strategy is to get the patients missing their homelife, comforts, good food and soaps, so they try harder to get mended and 'out of there'.

WOT???!!!

So pleeease, someone in the know, tell me......is this family person talking through the hole where the sun don't shine, or is this Policy?

I know that medical peeps post here & I'd REALLY like some informed input....

Many thanks,

Lishka

[Hyacinth]

[debster]

having worked in stroke for a few years before a and e we were the only ward (apart from the admissions unit) we managed to get hold of a few portable tvs  for patients to use and we found that this actually stimulated them, it created conversation for them and stimulated their minds.
because we physically didnt have tvs for the patients families would often bring them in, they would have to be electrically tested by the hospital electrician but this was fine only took a day or two, or they would bring in portable dvd players.
we spent money on kitting the day room out with a tv dvd player and dvds and free view tv cant get much more rehab then stroke

[Eristic]

That's as mad as the Government's answer to the flu epidemic.

"If you get flu try to stay at home and do not sneeze".

[tim]

Or go out & get it - the more who get it the less serious it will be!

Can't answer Liska's query - my next-door-medics went off on holiday yesterday.

[Ishard]

This isnt any sort of policy that Ive ever heard of and I would suggest the family write to the hospital chairman and ask him/her if its policy and if it isnt then why is the family liason person saying it is.

What worries me is that the ward may have a 'secret policy/agenda' which isnt officially sanctioned but is in general use there.

Now that would be worth calling a newspaper for.  ;) ;D

[rosebud]

Lish, that sounds like a load of bull s***, to me . Whenever i have been in hospital to visit or otherwise i have always seen a TV for  peeps that are confined to bed or quite infirm.  I think somone should report this             ( toot sweet, )the lady needs help to get well & nourishment , her family needs to pull there bleeding finger out if you ask me. >:( >:(