Via the Alert us button, Christine (not her real name) is furious with the hospital where her 90-year-old mother was placed following a stroke. Coming to visit her the next day, she found her mother alone in a hallway, tied to her bed in visibly unsanitary conditions.
Monday, October 14, Christine’s mother was taken to the emergency room of a clinic in the Namur region, following a fear of stroke (Cerebral Vascular Accident). “We arrived at the emergency room at 8 p.m. and at 1 a.m., she went up to neurologyKnowing her mom is safe, Christine decides to go home.
I see my half-naked mum tied up in her bed in the hallway, bathing in her excrement
The next day, she calls the hospital and they explain to her that her mother is still in the emergency room. She therefore decides to go there to understand the situation. Once there, Christine witnesses a scene that deeply shocked her. “When I arrive, I see my half-naked mum tied in her bed in the hallway, bathing in her excrement“ she explains.
Faced with this situation, Christine decides to complain to the staff. The latter explain to her that there was no more room for her and that this incident is beyond their control. “They put me in my place“, specifies Christine. After several protests, her mother is finally cleaned and brought to a room.
A lack of space that is a problem
The next day, Christine decides to go and ask the doctor for news of her mother. He explains that she is better and that she can consider returning home.
It’s really to say that there is no place
An incomprehensible reaction for Christine, given the reason why her mother went to the emergency room. According to her, this explanation of the doctor insinuates a clear message: “It’s really to say that there is no place“.
We tried to submit these two reviews to the clinic in question, but they did not wish to answer our questions despite our reminders.
Chronic lack of staff for several years
Today, Christine’s mother returned to the nursing home where she lived. “I requested a transfer to the neurological hospital where my daughter works“, explains Christine. We contacted Julie (not her real name), Christine’s daughter, who is responsible for the dietary service in a neurological hospital in Walloon Brabant.
It’s a recurring problem
During our interview with Julie, she explained to us that this incident with her grandmother is something that is unfortunately common. “It is a recurring problem. There is a lack of staff and resources in several hospitals“ she explains.
Having completed 3 internships during her studies, Julie says: “Once, when I was on an internship, I saw a gentleman sitting in a hallway with his meal tray on his knees. An hour later he was still there“. A situation which therefore does not seem new and which is exhausting the staff. “I think caregivers are a little helpless“. Currently, Christine’s mother is awaiting transfer from her rest home to the neurological hospital where her daughter works.