Why are people dying in care homes?

They’re not making the decision, the decision is pre made by the patient.

I watched my dad die of pulmonary fibrosis, and an elderly relative die of pneumonia (with an oxygen mask she didn’t want - and was detailed on her DNR). It was horrible.

I’m glad I’m not part of the decision making process, but by the time you need a ventilator your chances of survival are tiny, it’s akin to an assault of an old infirm patient. I’m not sure the potential benefit is worth the trauma.

 

We are not being told to wear ppe unless we have a patient who is symptomatic or who has tested positive. This is an instruction from within our trust (we have plenty and have donated to other trusts). In fact it is a local work instruction from within the trust, from our managers. This is not a governmental instruction at any level.

 

Where is the massive bath of

Horrible thing to witness. It's true that even very fit, healthy people, if they get to the stage they need a ventilator have a limited chance.

What we need to be doing is testing people going in to homes & hospitals to stop the spread in the first place.

Hopefully a drug can be found soon that alleviates the symptoms, as I think this has a better short to medium outcome than hoping for a vaccine.

 

How would you feel if you received a letter saying that you were DNR and were not going to get a ventilator even if you were in relatively good health and expecting to live for another decade or two.

 

It doesn't come out of the blue, in the middle of the Barnsley independent with a farm foods flier and clothes selection sack. It is requested by the patient and completed by the doctor without there having to be personal contact between the two.

 

Some people are claiming to have been sent pre-signed forms by the doctor without their approval.

 

They're not allowed to

 

It has done for some people, there’s been a few doctor’s surgeries that have sent them out and the government had to intervene to say it’s not allowed and apologies had to be sent.

 

Absolute rot. Care homes are far more vigorously regulated by the Care Quality Commission and always have been. I was a manager in a Nursing Home in Sheffield in 1998 when a flu outbreak killed 6 of my residents in one afternoon, local GP’s refused to attend the home unless it was to certify death, we were refused ambulances for any resident, we were basically told “we can do nothing here that you can’t do there”, I’d be surprised if this was not the case now. I understand that you work in the NHS but there are many talented, highly qualified, knowledgable and committed health care staff working in the private sector, attitudes like yours do nothing to foster a collaborative or joined-up approach to health care provision. Private care homes exist because they provide a service that the NHS and/or the local authorities do not or will not at a price to the taxpayer that is significantly lower than the cost of hospital care.

 

Jesus wept.

 

Absolute rot.
I have never, not ever denigrated the professionalism of staff within care homes: i've worked in private healthcare myself!. Your post therefore appears to be one centred upon a personal beef only. Private care homes exist because this sector of healthcare was put out to tender by Thatcher. The majority of the owners are in it for the profit only and offer their dedicated staff minimal wages.
I'm at a complete loss how you came to this conclusion from what i have written.
Edit# 'not under the jurisdiction of the state"... by this i clearly referenced they are independant facilities. I did not say they were independant of regulation as i know they are under the remit of the CQC, as are children's homes, hospitals and many other facilities: i never said they weren't.
You got that wrong.

 

Before this goes any further...

Perspective from NHS and Care Home workers is vital in the whole debate. You're both adding to a knowledge base that most of us don't have. Could you please both think about taking a step back. You're both good guys.

 

Maybe ask the owners and managers of these care homes, 84% of care homes are private, where the residents are charged between £700_ £2000 a week. Maybe they are all for profit and not looking after their employees/ residents, who knows ?

 

He's completely misinterpreted what i said and accused me of all and sundry whilst doing so. I was simply pointing out that the majority of care homes were privately owned. He took this strangely to mean that i said they weren't regulated, which of course they are. He also intimated i was denigrating the profesionalism of the staff. As you can see there's no mention of the kind. I've worked in 6 private care facilities under 2 companies and have fond memories of all (not care for the elderly though). That's why i was asking for any information from anyone who had any understanding of policy and procedure.

 

Last week an old colleague of mine told me the multi millionaire owner of Cheswold hospital asked the public for a donation of ppe. This lad makes a weekly visit to the hospital in his own helicopter.
The owner of the last private unit i worked in drove a brand new bentley.

 

I think everyone is understandably tense, which can easily lead to arguments, but I don't think it will do either of you any good to have one. Hope you both stay safe.

 

Didmt Duncan Banbatyne make a load from care homes?

 

Appears so.
Quality Care Homes: sold in 1996 for 26 million

 

I didn't want an argument but no option for me on this one. I hear what you're saying though and it doesn't sit easy with me either.
Onwards