URGENT - can anyone help please?

[Paula]

Emgin, remember that it may be that the Doctor needs to speak to you about your Dads condition or treatment or whatever. But seriously if he were in danger whereby they thought you should be there immediately some other Doctor or whoever would call you as an emergency. Try as best you can to get some rest tonight so that you arrive in the best shape possible tomorrow. Wish there was something I could do to help, I know how I would feel in your position. I'm not back in Spain until Monday, but if there is anything you need don't be afraid to ask.

[Bugsbunny]

T'other half says that if things were THAT serious, someone would be trying to contact me. I will just have to sit tight and see what happens. At least there are flights available tomorrow if I need one.

I just hate to think of what a strong man and wonderful father he was and to think what old age has done to him. It can be very cruel. I do hope he's comfortable (hospital is surely the best place) and that he knows how much I'm thinking about him. He will won't he??

[katy]

Hope I get better care from my Son or Daughter if anything happens.

[Jool]

The spanish health care system is very different to the UK. THere is a strict hierarchical system. Your consultant or the duty doctor from his/her team comes around and sees every patient every morning between 07.30 and 10am. The Doctor then instructs the head nurse as to the patient´s care for that day. The head nurse then co-ordinates the care. If there is a change then the nurse is authorised to call the doctor on duty for that dept and they consult on any changes which may mean more tests or a doctor visiting you etc. Spanish doctors do not seem to resent the out of hours call out, I was once very seriously ill in hospital observation ward and had 6 consultant specialists visit me and arrange tests between 9pm and midnight. All said it was their pleasure and responsibility to attend to me and not to worry. This is your bog standard spanish NHS hospital. I was diagnosed and kept in hospital for 10 days afterwards, all the relevant consultants came to see me again once they knew what was wrong with me. The key difference is they do not communicate with you in the same way as in UK, you are a passive patient and the doctors and nurses do whatever is needed for you. They are committed to effective pain relief and I found them better than the UK nurses as their time is more available for real nursing........food was pretty good too

In terms of patient personal care then you could do with a relative on hand as nurses and doctors are dedicated to your medical care, and in intensive care units to your personal care but otherwise the latter is left to family, the cultural tradition. One family member is allowed to stay overnight on the ward per patient for this in a reclining chair, not very comfortable though.

So to cut a long essay short, I am sure that if there was an emergency a doctor would have phoned you but if you are worried phone the ward NOW or ask someone who speak spanish to pretend to be you and find out what is going on

[Bugsbunny]

Katy - WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO???? WHAT SHOULD I DO ????? I do not need slagging off right now!

Tell you what, forget it. I don't want to hear your negative comments. I'm in enough turmoil. I'm not made of money. Do you not think I would be out there all the time looking after him if I could be???

[katy]

Well, I know what I would have done! And it wouldn't be to post on a forum.

[hillybilly]

I think Ginny has done/is doing everything she can under these difficult circumstances. It's exceptionally hard to know what to do at the best of times, never mind if your elderly parent has opted to live overseas in a non-English speaking country,

[Scot]

We are on your side - don't worry - can't believe how insensitive some people can be If you have nothing nice to say - say nothing at all!!

[Bugsbunny]

Go on then Katy - what WOULD you have done???????

[katy]

Took a flight asap I am not insensitive at all. what would some of you hypocrites do in this situation. I am sort of onside with the elderly person stuck in a hospital in a strange place without family.

[Jool]

I looked up hospital translators on google for Torremolinos and the answers say that there are voluntary hospital translators for the main hospitals in your Dad´s town. I suggest you contact an english speaking bar or one of the english run expat type organisations like local Masons, bowls clubs etc and find out some contact numbers from them..........sorry I can´t find out more.........I don´t know the area but there are lots of people on here who do......

Below is an english speaking doctor in Torremolinos, perhaps you could talk to him and then ask him to contact the hospital.....

Dr. Mariano Martos Avilés
Clínica Santa Elena
Urbanización Los Alamos
29620 Torremolinos
tel.: 952 386 266 / 952 385 555

Here are lists of Expat organisations in Torremolinos

http://www.infotorremolinos.com/torremolinos-clubs.html

The tradition in Spain is for family members to do all the caring for a patient apart from medical and the doctor is sued to speaking with relatives and family on the morning patient round so if you could get a cheap flight I am sure your DAd would be glad of it, can you get compassionate leave?

A flight Sunday back Monday with the forum favourite, Ryanair is 41GBP EMA to Malaga, no flights on SAturday.......

[Bugsbunny]

Jool thank you. The problem isn't translators - I have one of those. The problem is that no one will give out info due to Data Protection.

(Admin Edit)

[Jool]

The spanish way is for the person who phones to pretend to be you............

[Bugsbunny]

But Jool I speak no Spanish - or not enough to get by - and they know that already. I wouldn't be fooling anyone. I will wait and see what happens in the morning when Dominique (Dominic??) calls me back and will fly out tomorrow afternoon probably.

Katy, you have no idea - really you don't. Please don't judge me when you don't know me OK?

Now I'm going to bed as for some strange reason I feel pretty exhausted. Thanks everyone -almost. I do appreciate your help.

[Retro P]

Katy's spot on, I said originally that this was a hoax posting, if your father or indeed any of your closest relatives was in this position you'd be on the first plane over and do something about it, The "poster" in upper case letters (which is akin to shouting, asked "WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE KATY" my question is this " What would you expect a bunch of faceless stangers on a website to do" get a life!!

[Bugsbunny]

Guess I was shouting. Panic, horror, desperation - all feelings going through me right now. This is not a hoax thread. I came on here hoping that someone might help me think a bit clearer - my mind is in turmoil right now. As for posting a thread on this website, it was only done because I was hoping to get information from people who know the area. I am an only child and am having to deal with this alone. Just wanted some wise words I guess.

I am flying out this afternoon.

Thank you to the people who have been kind to me.

[Scot]

Hypocrites? You sound just like a few of the "friends" I have made here over the last few years. Quite often you post what I perceive to be spiteful comments and it puts me off contributing to the forum which is a shame as it seems to be full of helpful, kind and knowledgeable people.

RetroP - where did you say it was a hoax posting? Were you all talking behind emgins back? Even IF it was a hoax posting, I'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt. There are times when my MS is bad and I walk down the street like I'm drunk - I guess theres a couple of you on this forum who'd nudge each other and make assumptions about me too!!

Stop being so judgmental and mean. I wouldn't be able to pack and go today if I had to in an emergency - hope all goes well emgin x

[Bugsbunny]

Thank you Scot - so do I

[HKM]

My Grandfather who is in the UK collapsed on Xmas eve, the day before he had been out walking on the beach with his great grandchildren...

My parents who live here flew out on boxing day, the quickest flight they could.. They came back about the 10th.. The question is how long should they stay for? They have a case packed by the door, I think they are going back next week but he may go on another year or two.. For people living away from elderly relatives when something like this happens is very distressing.. You have to do what you believe in is the right thing.. We are lucky we have a big family so there is someone close to him at all times, but my parents are aware that them being here is not good enough, they really should be with him, then they feel guilty for not being here with me but I can manage and keep telling them this...

The deteriation is terrible he thinks he is on a boat, thinks my Nan is still alive (she died 7 years ago) doesn't know who his children are.. Can't walk, doesn't want to eat...

We knock the NHS at times but I have to say they have been excellent, when I ring they give me as much information they would do as if I was there.. I am having an operation in the UK next week myself so will be going to see him then but I feel very guilty for not going already..

Just my opinion, each to there own...

[Scot]

I think your parents were very inconsiderate leaving your grandfather behind and returning to sunny Spain - leaving him all those miles away in times of trouble. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Sorry, I just had to see what it felt like to write in this fashion I hope all goes well for you.