"My Mother's time at the hospice"

It has taken me nearly a year to write about what has happened.

My mother passed away at St Luke's Hospice. I am an only child. No father around. Went though this experience of watching my mother deteriorate and die aged 85 alone. Have to say the care provided by the nurses and carers was exceptional. Their interaction with my mother defined the word kindness.

The leadership and senior team however, I felt, lacked compassion and seemed led by ego. As my mother deteriorated, there appeared to be more of a focus on discharging her as she had not died within two weeks. Note half the place was empty so the argument re needing beds seemed to be nonsense. The day my mother passed I was still arguing that morning with the consultant in charge who claimed my mother was stable/improving and should be discharged back to a care home.

So condescending in the way they spoke to me. My mother passed away later that day. The doctors strangely vanished after that. My only other comment would be that there was no follow-up post death. Felt very much alone through the journey and dealing with the hospice outside of the nurses and carers felt like a fight.

Have not bothered to complain as in my experience nobody really listens. Happy to talk to anyone who wants to understand more or needs support at such a difficult time.