"To me, they are all superstars"

My mum (in her 80s at the time) had a fall in her shower back in January this year.  Despite two separate hip fractures in the previous 5 years and some memory/organisational difficulties, she was living fairly independently in her own home, with me popping in around 5 times per week to walk her wee dog and generally check in on her.

Following the latest fall - which caused her a serious head wound and a broken bone in her neck - she was admitted from A&E at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy (Ward 33) and stayed there for around 18 days.

After the first day or so, she developed delirium - ranging from silly stories about what she had seen/done/heard to paranoia and abject terror.  This was extremely upsetting for her and for us.  Staff did what they could, but they could not get to the root cause.  Doctors there were excellent at keeping in touch with me and keeping us updated on treatments etc.  Most of the nursing staff were friendly, kind and helpful - but it was difficult to build a relationship with them as nobody seemed to stay in the same part of the ward for more than a day or two.

Mum was then moved to Glenrothes Hospital - closer to home and where she could receive Physio, Occupational Therapy etc.  The immediate feel of Ward 2 was much better - more homely, friendlier - and Mum seemed happier there than in the Victoria.

Despite her still suffering from delirium (the root cause was never identified) and subsequently losing her mobility, she eventually began to improve her eating and started to build herself back up.

Nursing staff were generally excellent - nothing was ever too much trouble, they were warm, friendly, compassionate, endlessly patient and kind.  I only had an issue with a nurse one weekend when they seemed to be refusing to take Mum to the toilet because she had been just before we arrived - some 45 minutes earlier.  They only relented when I pointed out that she had needed twice within 15 minutes the day before.

When I completed a suggestion card - explaining that there was very little information available to visitors/family members re visiting hours, routines such as doctor's rounds, laundry etc - this was acted upon very quickly.  They didn't only look after my mum, they were keen to ensure that family members were being supported too. Lorraine, the Senior Charge Nurse, was particularly welcoming and thoughtful.  I wish I could remember all these ladies' names!

I did, however, find that communication was not always the best - staff having been told a particular protocol by one person and a different one by someone else e.g. whether Mum should be taken to the toilet, brought a commode.  Mum had been there for about 3 or 4 weeks before I found out (by chance) that some of her washing was being sent home in dispersible bags - I, not realising this, had been wearing gloves and opening these bags!  Later, I found out that some staff were using these bags for soiled clothing while others were using a different type of bag (again, only found out by chance) because the former were only for use in the hospital washing machines.

Trying to speak to a doctor was not always easy - when I did manage to speak to them, they were all very helpful and were able to answer most of the questions we had.  However, there also seemed, at times, to be a breakdown in communication between doctors and nursing staff too.

Unfortunately, Mum's delirium never lifted and she was eventually moved to Ward 1 while I tried to arrange a Care Home place for her.  She did not like it there at all.  She stopped eating and drinking.  There were other people's clothes ending up in her wardrobe, she had no soup written on her chart but nobody seemed to know why and gave her soup anyway because they hadn't noticed it!  (Just as well it wasn't a serious allergy or the like.)  I'm sure the staff were lovely, but the ward did not have the same feel to it as Ward 2.

Sadly, Mum died suddenly in April.

I would like to thank everyone who helped look after her day and night during her time in hospital, particularly in Ward 2 - it can't have been easy.  She was very confused and couldn't understand why she couldn't just go home.  She would refuse personal care, be agitated and angry with those doing their best to help and support her.  One of the staff even arranged a birthday cake for her. Staff seemed genuinely fond of her and were sad when they learned she was being moved to Ward 1, and out of their care. To me, they are all superstars.