Princess Alexandra Hospital 2013-07-30 Person 1 5 0

My mother was sent to A&E by her GP who suspected a brain injury. A&E doctor insisted mum was ok and said she had a chest infection and would be discharged with antibiotics. We did not agree. Mum was dragging her leg, one side of her mouth had dropped and her speech was slurred and jumbled. They had clearly not assessed her correctly. We refused to leave and said we were not satisfied. Doctor eventually agreed to do a CT scan but said we would not get the results until the next day so mum would be admitted. We were told we would have to sit with mum all night as they could not keep her safe. She was agitated, kept getting up off the bed and falling because she could not stand. We refused and told them it was their responsiblity to look after her once she was admitted and they then accepted that. Got home just before midnight, phone rang and we were told mum had a bleed on both sides of her brain and would require surgery but that would require transfer to another hospital and there was a five day waiting list. Next morning we got a call from the hospital and were told mum had deteriorated and did we want them to "make her comfortable " (which we assumed meant let her die) or did we want her transferred to another hospital for surgery). Do we have the right to decide if mum dies??? We chose surgery, she was transferred and operated on about midnight. Operation was a success and she was transferred back for recovery. The first night back she was assaulted by a member of staff on the ward. (I have that confirmed in writing by the hospital so can substantiate this statement). Other poor care followed. We made repeated requests to speak to a doctor but that did not happen. They put her on anti psychotic drugs without consent. Her fluid intake chart was - lets be polite and tactful here - incorrect with it recording she was being given fluids when she was not. She is very confused and they left a bedpan containing urine in the toilet for over three hours (belonging to somone else) and she went to wash her hands in it. They promised us that she would receive an assessment under the mental health capacity act and then for continuing healthcare. A few days later, they refused to do these assessments. Needless to say, we have made a complaint. If we had done what the A&E doctor said, mum would be dead. Or, if we had chosen not to choose the surgery option, mum would be dead. That really worries me. How can I have the legal right to decide that she should die??