"Care received by Bromley at home"

I fell over which ultimately caused a really bad infection to my arm causing immense pain, fever and hospitalisation.  In hospital (the Pru) I had two operations and was on a drip twice a day for two weeks.  The Pru, it must also be said were brilliant with all my care whilst I was there. Also in this time I lost my father to cancer and was distraught that I was not there to be with him. I was in a complete mess, unable to sleep, unable to grieve and my head and mental health was suffering bad.

I was then told I would be going home three days in advance and at the last minute I was told that I would need to stay for another 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. I simply could not stay and needed to get to my mum, brother and family to grieve and to arrange his funeral.  My mental health was really bad.  Then I was given the option of Bromley home hospital. I was told that, although the hospital would prefer I stay, this newly formed team of nurses/service would be able to visit me every day to administer the antibiotics that I obviously needed due to my still high infection rate.

The team were and have been absolutely amazing. Each nurse is professional sympathetic and caring to my case and I have never ever heard a team of people talk so highly about each other and their boss (Lorna). From all the positivity I have heard about Lorna over the last 5 weeks I feel like I know her really well even if I have never actually met her. The service this team provides has saved my sanity, enables me to recover at home, sleep in my own bed, eat my own food and be able me to have some freedom whilst receiving the necessary drugs and care. A brilliant and worthwhile service that gets patients home, releases hospital beds and helps people like me survive a mental breakdown at a time when I was completely lost.

At all times this team have supported all the other aspects of care such as blood tests, arranging medication and consulting with the hospital over my appointments where necessary. All I have had to do is be at home at the same time each day and sit there whilst having the drip was in my arm.

I am humbled, grateful and so pleased that such a service exists that has helped me beyond my expectations in my hour of need. This is definitely the way forward for hospitals and care to ease the NHS waiting times for beds!

I must also mention (in no particular order as they are all brilliant ) …. Louise, Maria, Grace, Bonnie, Kitty, Liz, Julie, Jasmin, Gopi, Dr Valerie, Ellie, Krystina, Alison, Dr. Sovrilla and Lorna who is obviously as good as all her team says she is to receive such praise from her peers.  Bless you all