Inpatient Negligence
Moderator: talkhealth
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paul160702
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:07 pm
Inpatient Negligence
Hi, my name is Paul and I have suffered from m/h problems since 1991, my latest diagnosis being schizo/mixed affective disorder. In February 2012 I decided to titrate myself off 10mgs of aripiprazole leaving me taking just 800mgs CAMCOLIT lithium carbonate. Unfortunately, I became unwell on June 26th 2012 showing psychotic symptoms, particularly acute paranoia and was admitted voluntarily to my local inpatient unit.
In terms of medication I was prescribed 800mgs lithium carbonate, 400mgs quetiapine xl and 1mg of clonazepam. My enquiry is around the administering of PRIADEL lithium carbonate from admission which saw my blood lithium levels fall to .3 as at 6th July which I was told about on 10th July 2012 and my dosage was not increased to 1000mgs until 21st July. During this period I was allowed unescorted leave whilst suffering mood swings and paranoia. My consultant, on 21st July 2012 affirmed he wanted my levels between .7 and .8 which I estimate did not happen until fully 7 weeks after admission. I wish to know if my local trust has a case to answer around this failure?
Just as a caviat to the above, I was unable to resume my marriage after this admission because it threw up so many issues for my wife (carer)
In terms of medication I was prescribed 800mgs lithium carbonate, 400mgs quetiapine xl and 1mg of clonazepam. My enquiry is around the administering of PRIADEL lithium carbonate from admission which saw my blood lithium levels fall to .3 as at 6th July which I was told about on 10th July 2012 and my dosage was not increased to 1000mgs until 21st July. During this period I was allowed unescorted leave whilst suffering mood swings and paranoia. My consultant, on 21st July 2012 affirmed he wanted my levels between .7 and .8 which I estimate did not happen until fully 7 weeks after admission. I wish to know if my local trust has a case to answer around this failure?
Just as a caviat to the above, I was unable to resume my marriage after this admission because it threw up so many issues for my wife (carer)
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Dr Johanna Herrod
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 10:21 am
Re: Inpatient Negligence
Dear Steve ,
Being so unwell that you need hospital admission is so difficult for you and your family. I know that the nurses and doctors would have done their best to care and treat you. HOWEVER it is not unusual for patients to complain about their care. And rightly so as it enables practices to be looked at and possibly improved.
So my advice to you is write personally to the Consultant Psychiatrist and Ward Manager outlining your concerns. They will reply and may arrange to meet you to discuss. Then if you are not reassured you can access the Complaints System, which is a clear process via the Hospital. If you don’t want to follow that route you can access the Hospital complaints system by contacting the Hospital PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Service).
Hope this helps Dr Johanna Herrod
Being so unwell that you need hospital admission is so difficult for you and your family. I know that the nurses and doctors would have done their best to care and treat you. HOWEVER it is not unusual for patients to complain about their care. And rightly so as it enables practices to be looked at and possibly improved.
So my advice to you is write personally to the Consultant Psychiatrist and Ward Manager outlining your concerns. They will reply and may arrange to meet you to discuss. Then if you are not reassured you can access the Complaints System, which is a clear process via the Hospital. If you don’t want to follow that route you can access the Hospital complaints system by contacting the Hospital PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Service).
Hope this helps Dr Johanna Herrod
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