"Personal care, Communication and end of life care"

Coming up to the anniversary of mothers death but father is unaware of the events that occurred on the day of unexpected death.

On my arrival to ward 2, my mother was lying in the bed, flat and her lower legs dangling over the end of the bed to be told she was comfortable in that position by the Charge Nurse who was outside the room and knew that the 'Palliative' discussion was why we were their. Her lips were dry and bleeding, and could not drink in that position. She was not comfortable, and in pain and I asked for pain relief and change of position.

The Doctor appeared quickly before either had been done to discuss Palliative plan and that my mum would want to die at home or hospice if not possible, not in hospital. I expressed my concerns about the care and how she was on arrival. I had already given leeway to poor care on ward 15, stuck to chair and returned to bed like a sack of potatoes (Left Lying diagonally on bed), washed with a wet wipes, still wearing the nightgown she had collapsed in the night before. Never mind allergic reaction to an antibiotic, that I queried on day one as she had a rash to her face and neck that wasn't there the day before at home.

Yes mum had no pain relief or not moved during this time, away with medical staff. I heard the Doctor speaking to the Charge Nurse who said they were waiting till they washed her and he organised pain relief. Whilst administering painkillers, I said we would go for a drink, so could they make my mum more comfortable.

Mum was taken to Xray department whilst myself and sister left the ward, to discuss end of life care and that we would provide personal care due to issues with homecare provision, and on return spoke to Palliative nurse who was up to see another patient them mum as was the first nurse I saw, as her bed space was empty. Expecting that she was being moved from the 6 bedded bay to single room not a tour of the hospital, as no one stopped the Porters. At least she was taken on the bed and not portering trolley the evening before (no results discussed).

Yes a plan was being made, to organise MacMillian nurse for symptom management but a T34 pump never arrived, relying on SC top up. Who knows if the last dose was correct or pump dose, my sister who queried this with me.

Yes after over 4hrs of arriving my mum was packed up and moved with haste to a single room. She was talking and drinking prior to moving but died out in the corridor as we stood aside to let the person who came out the room walk past and the door was shut behind her.

I have never taken a family member in to see a deceased family with the persons teeth that had fallen out, thrown on the top of her belongings, packed up for the move. The nurse couldn't explain the discolouration to her face other than for some people, it happens. Well not in 37yrs of nursing have I seen that marking.

Yes I am angry and left with a lot of unanswered questions, died within five days of admission. No further forward than A/E visit 8 days before, with abdominal pain and normal bloods and presumed diagnosis when on holiday. At time staff refused or ignored the question asked but as not legal next of kin couldn't pursue any further involvement without upsetting my father.