"A discharge summary would have helped"

My mum and I brought my grandad to CAU after GP referral in the afternoon. The staff were lovely and it was clear the area was busy. The triage process was very quick and when the nightshift team came on they were very attentive and made sure all the patients waiting had teas and coffees and were comfortable! 

We had a really good experience in CAU, however, it would have been nice for my grandad if during the day shift, he was asked if he’d like a coffee or something to eat. He did feel forgotten about a couple times whilst we were waiting and kept asking if he had been missed. 

The nightshift nurse and healthcare caring for my grandad when he was moved to AAU were fantastic. They showed person-centred holistic care and I could see my grandad relax (he hates hospitals). The ladies were lovely and answered all questions we’d had! 

The problem we have experienced is the discharge process. On discharge my grandad wasn’t provided with a written explanation of his time in the hospital. In the hospital I work in, all patients are provided with a discharge summary, explaining: why they were in, what was done whilst they were in, and any follow up care plans and changes to medications. I feel this could benefit the patients in Forth Valley Royal Hospital as I find it can support patients to be involved in their treatment and understand their care experience. It can also aid those who support patients at home with continuation of care.

My grandad is hard of hearing and doesn’t always take in everything that is said or going on. Trying to sort out his medications has been difficult for us and we don’t have a clear understanding of what’s going on to be able to support him adequately at home. A discharge summary would have helped my grandad to tell us what he wants us to do to support him and he would know more about his situation than he does now.