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"I am broken and saddened by it all"

About: Kilbryde Hospice / Inpatient Care University Hospital Hairmyres / Medicine for the Older Adult (wards 13 - 16) University Hospital Hairmyres / Surgical Receiving Unit (Ward 4)

(as a carer),

My relative was admitted to Hairmyers hospital after a diagnosis of cancer and pain that had been unmanageable at home. He was admitted to ward 4 where he was left in a 4-bed ward in severe pain, curtains open around his bed with visitors and other patients witnessing his pain and discomfort openly. I then asked to speak to staff about his pain management and they openly discussed with me his end-of-life diagnosis and care in the corridor. Where was the privacy and dignity?

When he was admitted I brought in his medication and was reassured that his details were on the system and they would organise from the pharmacy for him. They did not and he went 3 days without his diabetic medication. Where is the care here?

A transfer to another ward only progressed to me thinking either training is outdated or some staff are so downtrodden that they have lack of empathy or sympathy. I phoned to see how my relative was, by now he is dying, to be told he was snappy and impatient and that he had to be mindful there were others on the ward who needed attention. This was not a burden to place on a relative nor on a dying patient when they are desperate for pain management.

I am so tired and saddened about the care he received and I really do not think I will recover from this. It also took a complaint to instigate a much-needed CT Scan. He was diagnosed with cancer after this and then there was a flurry of appointments and tests that should have been taken many many months previously.

My beloved is now deceased but his last months could have been better. He swore he would never go into hospital again. He did not and spent the most peaceful and pain-free days in Kilbryde Hospice. The hospice was a safe haven and staff there so dedicated to their patients.

I have a list of things that were just so sad about his days in Hairmyers hospital . A lack of care and compassion, no dignity, no privacy and the list goes on. I am broken and saddened by it all I really am.

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Responses

Response from Margaret Mary Cowan, Clinical Services Director, Kilbryde nearly 2 years ago
Margaret Mary Cowan
Clinical Services Director,
Kilbryde

Responsibility for the smooth running of all services relating to patients, carers and family members

Submitted on 11/09/2023 at 15:21
Published on Care Opinion at 15:36


picture of Margaret Mary Cowan

Dear RandJ13

Thank you for taking the time and energy to write this post. I can imagine this task could not have been an easy one especially as you are recently bereaved. I am writing to you as Clinical Services Director at Kilbryde Hospice. I appreciate that the focus of the constructive feedback you have given in this story relates to the care of your relative at University Hospital Hairmyres. I will allow the Hairmyres team to comment on these issues and I do hope you get some resolution soon. Your post will only mean an improvement in patient care.

Kilbryde Hospice's relationship with you and your relative, although short-lived, appears to have been more positive. Thank you for your kind words. Within the hospice we have increased our staff-patient ratio to give you and your relative the precious time they need at the end of their life. We are only able to do this with the generous support of our community, fundraising to raise the £2.1 million.

If you wish to discuss this further with anyone at Kilbryde then please do not hesitate to call us on 01355 202020 Option 3.

Kind regards

Margaret Mary Cowan

Clinical Services Director

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Response from Lise Axford, Chief of Nursing, University Hospital Hairmyres, NHS Lanarkshire nearly 2 years ago
Lise Axford
Chief of Nursing, University Hospital Hairmyres,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 11/09/2023 at 16:32
Published on Care Opinion at 16:39


picture of Lise Axford

Dear RandJ13

Firstly, please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of your loved one.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at University Hospital Hairmyres.

It has clearly been a difficult time and your distress and sadness is palpable through your feedback. Compassion is fundamental to our care provision and I am concerned to hear that you felt there was a lack of dignity and that you feel broken by your experience. I wonder if you would consider speaking to myself so that I can fully review your loved ones care. I also understand how difficult this may be for you.

If you do feel able to have a discussion with me, I wonder if you would contact me either on email: lise.axford@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or Telephone: 013555 584725

I am truly sorry that we have not provided the level of care I would expect to your loved one and to yourself. I am disheartened that we have not supported your loved one appropriately during the last months of their life and that you have been left feeling saddened and broken. Please be assured that I take your feedback very seriously and will be sharing your comments with the wider team for learning and reflection.

I hope to hear from you

Sincere condolences

Lise

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