While the UK may be pressing ahead with its plans to ignore Covid-19, the challenges facing the NHS shows no sign of abating anytime soon.
To this end, the service’s waiting lists across all departments increased to an incredible 6 million people, while this number will rise further before the government can start to reduce them at some point in 2024.
If you do have a loved one in the hospital, however, the question that remains is how can you look after them successfully? Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
#1. Get to Know the Doctors
While not all doctors have been created equal when it comes to their bedside manner, the overwhelming majority are skilled and studious professionals who make patient care their number one priority.
It’s important to recognize this and enter into an open dialogue with doctors from the start while valuing their time and trying to avoid venting your frustration to them.
This way, you can get to know them and create rapport, which maintains open lines of communication throughout and makes them more likely to explain what’s happening with your loved one in real-time!
#2. Keep an Eye on the Medical Details
Ultimately, instances such as never events and medical negligence rarely occur in clinical settings, there always remains a chance that your loved one could suffer adverse effects following treatment or surgery.
Even professionals can make mistakes; so we’d recommend keeping abreast of the latest medical developments with your loved ones and communicating these with those around you.
Remember, medical negligence can occur in a number of different forms, from prescription errors (which you can identify if you’re informed) to a missed or incorrect diagnosis.
#3. Take Shifts to Ease the Emotional Burden
If your loved one is likely to be in hospital for a while, the emotional and physical burden of caring can take its toll over time.
Even if you desperately want to spend every second by your partner’s or relative’s side, this can be incredibly draining and make it hard for you to function and maintain an open, caring persona.
So, a preferable strategy is to take shifts with fellow friends and family members, ensuring that someone is always by your loved one’s side and you have time to eat, shower, and sleep!
#4. Keep Them Occupied
We close with what’s arguably the most important consideration, which is the need to keep your loved ones occupied and distracted from their condition or physical pain.
For example, you could regularly buy them gifts such as crosswords, while also paying for them to have access to a television (or at least unlimited data) during their hospital stay.
Frequency is the key here, while it may also be worth buying your loved ones treats such as flowers and their favorite chocolates to brighten their day!