By Becckzfizz - 20/06/2013 14:10 - United Kingdom - Nottingham

Today, I left hospital after a three-night stay. Whilst waiting for my taxi to arrive, my mother called me in hysterics wanting to know where I was, because the police had called her and told her I had gone missing. Turns out my doctor "forgot" to tell anyone that I was discharged. FML
I agree, your life sucks 49 591
You deserved it 3 291

Becckzfizz tells us more.

Becckzfizz 7

Hello, I wrote this, Yes I'm in England. I'd text my mum to let her know that I was on my way home, she'd replied and all was well. Next thing I know she's ringing me again thinking that I've done a runner from the hospital. The doctor had discharged me and signed all of my forms, though the nurses on duty had not been notified of this and immediately called the police to report me as a missing person (even though I was waiting for my taxi in the hospital entrance), the police then contacted my emergency contact (my mum) and then she called me. I understand that it wasn't the Doctors fault, it was just a clerical error. All clear?

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Top comments

Supergirl1988 16

Yeah it is and we still have duels instigated by slapping someone in the face with gloves

201 3
HarrisonVR 17

good thing someone that absent minded is given responsibility over human lives

144 12

Comments

ViviMage 38

No discharge papers?! No written record of you leaving for the medical records!!? Wow.

3 10
sdahl1113 4

Hospitals suck. FYL.

2 3
kdbernie10 3

Hey. Doctors have a lot on their plates. I hope to be a doctor someday and I would hope if I made a small mistake like that then I would be forgiven.

10 2
nightbirdblue 27

True, but it is a consequence that makes people regret their mistakes. Of all the screw ups possible, this is pretty mild. It is a simple mistake, so not much of a consequence really. However, it will hopefully teach the doctor to be a bit more careful.

1 4
CforCynic 4

For the benefit of the understandably confused Yanks on this page, in England you don't need specific discharge papers. I can only surmise that this is because our healthcare is free AT THE POINT OF TREATMENT (just so no one goes "oh it's not free you pay taxes"), so they have no need to stop you skipping out on a bill. A doctor's say so is quite sufficient to leave. Also, if you're deemed mentally competent, you are able to discharge yourself from a hospital.

22 4
asb818 14

For the benefit of the understandably confused non-"Yanks" on this page, here in the USA discharge papers have nothing to do with your bill, or insurance, or such. Discharge papers are your final instructions from your doctor such as medications, further bed rest, wound care, when you can resume work, when to have your follow up appointment, etc. It serves as written acknowledgement that the doctor feels you are medically okay to leave, as well as having an official record that you are no longer there. It doesn't mean you can't leave earlier if you choose to, only that the doctor is okay with you leaving. I don't pretend to know your medical system, so please don't pretend to know ours.

26 10
edmondk85 4

Just because the M.D. gives discharges orders doesn't mean you can just leave. The nurse still has to do all the discharge orders and medications, then the nurse discharges you.

7 4
kaduzy 12

I don't get why "forgot" is in quotes as if you don't believe this is possible. Doctors get pretty busy, saving lives and all.

8 1
thebear683 6

who notified the police anyway? last time I was discharged from a hospital cops weren't involved. nor was my mother.

8 1
DirkNJ 2

God forbid you ever do go missing at least the Police will know quickly.

2 6
lennelleong 33

Someone cried wolf. Hardly an FML - yet.

1 0
violette_tiger 7

Why didn't you ring your mom to tell her you were out of hospital ?? ;)

4 6