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"Due to his mental health he should have had counselling"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Blood vessel problems ( Vascular Ward 11a &11d) Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / General surgery (Wards 9a, 9b, 9c & 9d) Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

(as a relative),

My brother was admitted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at the end of December 2022. In early January 2023 he had an amputation to above his knee. A few weeks later I was informed that rehab was not progressing and due to the level of care he needed he would need to go into a care home. My brother was informed of this.

Throughout his 3 weeks I was told he was in low mood, withdrawn, I asked if he could be given a little more time but this was not an option. A couple of days later, I was informed that my brother was now refusing food, drink and medication. I visited him but he passed away very soon after.

I feel that due to his mental health he should have had counselling and when informed about the care home I should have been present. He obviously decided to end his life as to him it wasn't worth living. I thought hospitals considered mental health as well as the physical side and feel he was let down. I am still in shock at having lost my brother in such a way. I can only consider this suicide, as he really took his own life. 

The nurse in the ICU was very helpful and caring as was the nurse in ward 11a.

I feel a counsellor could have spent time with him to see why he was in a bad place mentally to consider ending his life in this way. Also perhaps it can take longer than 3 weeks for someone who is trying to cope with the shock of losing his leg. 

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Responses

Response from Geraldine Marsh, Chief Nurse, South Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 years ago
Geraldine Marsh
Chief Nurse, South Sector,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 05/04/2023 at 13:10
Published on Care Opinion at 13:37


Dear Danny234

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your brother. I appreciate that this is a very difficult time for you and your family. I would welcome the opportunity to speak to you about your brother’s care. If you could please contact me by email Geraldine.Marsh2@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or on 0141 451 6427.

Many thanks

Geraldine

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Update posted by Danny234 (a relative)

Dear Geraldine

Thank you for your response and the offer to discuss my brother's care while in hospital. I would like to say that I am in no way complaining about his nursing care. The nurses I spoke with both in ICU, Ward 11a and Vascular rehab annex were all very professional and kind to me and my family. I just wish I could have been there when he was told about going into a care home or perhaps a counsellor could have got to the bottom of his low mood and being withdrawn. A minister friend told me that rather than suicide my brother obviously felt it was his time to pass. This made me feel that perhaps no one could have foreseen his actions.

Response from Geraldine Marsh, Chief Nurse, South Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 years ago
Geraldine Marsh
Chief Nurse, South Sector,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 12/04/2023 at 12:45
Published on Care Opinion at 13:43


Dear Danny234

Thank you for your response. I am pleased that the nursing staff were professional and kind to you and your family during this difficult time. If you would like to get in touch please do so. We will review our processes for referring patients to Psychology. We will also try to ensure that family members are present when we are discussing care homes with patients.

Take Care

Geraldine

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