Deaf News: Scandal of deaf man ‘treated as if he had dementia’ in hospital

His widow, Mrs W, complained that her husband’s care was compromised because staff did not consider his deafness, even though she told them about it.

The family was also not told of a cancer diagnosis while he was in hospital, with them only learning of it later from their GP, she said.

The woman said her husband was given a catheter – something she thought he would consider “humiliating” – even though he was not incontinent.

She complained that she thought her husband was catheterised for the convenience of staff.

Her husband fell while trying to walk to the toilet because he did not like the catheter and there were no rails around his bed to prevent such a fall.

Acting Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Prof Margaret Griffiths found the health board failed to:

• Record a significant clinical discussion with Mr W about scan results
• Complete and record appropriate assessments relating to the risk of falling and the use of bed rails
• Consult Mr W and record his consent for the insertion of a catheter
• Follow national and local guidance on effective discharge planning
• Keep appropriate records related to the discharge process
• Follow relevant guidance on record-keeping

She said: “In any clinical situation it is clearly important to identify whether or not a person is able to hear and, if not, to identify a suitable way to communicate properly with them.”

Read the full story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-25407747

See our other shocking deaf health stories:

• “I didn’t know what would be done.” Deaf actor Matthew Gurney explains how he had an operation without being given an interpreter
• “I had to tell my dad he was going to die, because he wasn’t given a sign language interpreter”
• Deaf News: Deaf patient in Scottish hospital left without an interpreter for twelve days
• Deaf News: Facebook video shows deaf patient confused and anxious in hospital