Sick Relative in Mater Dei

Last activity 11 May 2014 by MovingToTheMed

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MovingToTheMedContributor06 May 2014 08:54:33

145

Hello,

Lately, I've been excitedly writing about our move to Malta by the end of the year.

However, an unexpected turn of events may change or even necessitate we accelerate the plans. Mother-in-Law (MiL) developed a case of Shingles for her birthday at the end of April. Very unfortunate and painful no doubt. However in rare cases it seems this can lead to an infection of the brain that may be permanent.

She was admitted to Mater Dei last week and remains in there in a confused state and tests are ongoing. Things aren't looking too good. We are having a lot of trouble talking to anyone other than a nurse (they are great but we'd rather have a medical diagnosis than just an opinion). It seems her condition while not life threatening is getting worse from anecdotal evidence (from visiting friends and chats on the bedside phone with her).

Maria will be in Malta by Thursday but we wonder how to get to talk to the consultant when abroad? They seem reluctant to allow us to (I suppose because it could be anyone on the phone?)

We have sent an email this morning to the Customer Care address at the hospital.

Also we have managed to find the email of MiL's solicitor who has already been a marvel. She responded immediately to say she will meet with Maria and her Mother at the hospital and draw up Power of Attorney documents (should MiL be lucid).

This is, of course, very worrying for all concerned and the purpose of this note is to ask:

a) How best to talk to the relevant consultant at Mater Dei
b) Any advice on what we should be doing about a (possibly permanently) incapacitated Ex-Pat relative?

Thank you

tearnetViP06 May 2014 15:31:25

2179

tearnet wrote:
Probably not enough information in your post regarding your MIL 's status in Malta.
If she is a resident with a E-ID then she will be entitled to all the medical care that Malta has.
If she is not a resident then it will depend on her status in the UK and any reciprocal health care agreement that she can claim.
They will have a department in the hospital that will cover aftercare/ welfare and someone should contact them ASAP.
She needs a relative in Malta that can do things for her as they will not give much info over the phone, as you say it could be anyone phoning.
Also a lot of the aftercare is arranged via her local health centre.

Good luck
Terry

MovingToTheMedContributor06 May 2014 16:04:24

145

Oh yes, sorry - she has been a resident for over 13 years but since her husband passed away has no other relatives on the island, until we can get out there.

chinooksActive member06 May 2014 22:08:35

Sorry to hear about your MIL. Difficult to talk to anyone for information over the phone. However when you come over, you can ask the nurses to tell you when the consultant is around and speak to him/her then?

MovingToTheMedContributor11 May 2014 10:00:23

145

Just an interim update - perhaps for future people in our position

Maria went over to Malta last Thursday straight to Mater Dei. She talked to her mothers consultant the next morning and the news is much better than we had thought. While she does have early signs of dementia it is not the potentially life threatening condition that they had first feared.

The health care seems good and thorough. There are still some problems with Mum in Law (MiL) and she will remain in hospital for a further 2 weeks under observation while they decide on her medication. She will then be transferred to a Rehabilitation Hospital (St Lukes, I believe) where she will learn how to cope with her illness and they can work on a plan for ongoing care.

There is still a problem with communication once Maria returns home (something about the hospital not making international calls) however the consultant was happy to provide Maria with his direct email address and invited any enquiry.

tearnetViP11 May 2014 10:32:47

2179

Good news for you regarding MIL, hope she continues to improve.

This is a link to the Malta dementia society they may be able to help.

https://sites.google.com/site/maltadementiasociety/

Terry

MovingToTheMedContributor11 May 2014 14:32:40

145

tearnet wrote:
Good news for you regarding MIL, hope she continues to improve.

This is a link to the Malta dementia society they may be able to help.

https://sites.google.com/site/maltadementiasociety/

Terry

Thank you so much Terry - this is all new to us, hadn't even started to think about such things as help from societies.
That's very kind of you to share
Matt

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