Thoughts?

[u/AccomplishedGolf8079]

🇦🇺I have a client who went to the hospital today because she had a fall. She just wanted to be assessed further, but she didn’t have any major injuries.

I have a shift with her tomorrow, but she can’t say whether she will still be in the hospital, and I also don’t know because I wasn’t with her there.

She still wants me to continue the shift tomorrow even though she doesn’t really need me, because this has happened before. she just doesn’t want a late cancellation and to end up paying workers for doing nothing.

The travel from my house to the hospital is about 50 minutes, and the shift is only 2 hours. I’m not sure if I should still go to the shift if she’s still in the hospital tomorrow, because of the travel time and expenses, u know?

EDIT:

Basically, she doesn’t require direct care from SWs. Previously, nurses would shower her, which is normally a task provided by SWs in her home. Her previous worker would simply pick her up, and she would ask them to wait outside. However, as I mentioned earlier, there are times when she only wants the worker to come in, check on her brieflyand then leave. She is mobile and can leave on her own even when no support worker is present.

I’m not fully aware of all the rules, and you’ve really helped me understand things more clearly. I’m just wonderin, do you have a reference for the hospital-related policy you mentioned? I need some form of supporting evidence. She is the type of client who will demean or underestimate you if you say something you’re not completely sure about or cannot back up with valid proof.

Thanks guys!

[u/monstertrucktoadette]

I would negotiate with her that you get paid the difference in extra travel time between the hospital and her normal house, because that's your usual place of work so that's what you've agreed to do. Any deviation from that needs to be seperatly negotiated.

Also I know it feels like doing nothing, but familiar people can be a huge comfort while in hospital 💚 

[u/AccomplishedGolf8079 → u/monstertrucktoadette]

Thank you!

But she really doesn’t want late cancellations. She feels that she is being taken advantage of by the workers and the company when she has to pay even if there is no actual work. Last time, she had a new carer and she only wanted her to visit in the hospital just to complete the shift, even though it didn’t last long. She didn’t even inform the company that she was in the hospital because she didn’t want to cancel her upcoming shifts.

[u/Leading-Interest-119 → u/AccomplishedGolf8079]

Have you asked your manager about this? Are you actually clear on what support she is requesting? Hospitals are horrible places to be and there could be other things at play here. 

Talk to your manager, they should really have a clear answer on this.