"End of life care for my Mum"

Hello. I wanted to provide some very positive feedback about the care provided to my Mum by the District Nurses from the Levern Medical practice within the Barrhead Health Centre. This care was provided during my Mum’s end-of-life period as she was dying from lung cancer. She passed away recently, early June 2025.

Throughout March and April, District Nurse Jennifer attended to my Mum on a regular basis. She was very proactive and attentive, and took action when my Mum needed an increase to her pain medication etc.. She was very supportive, and my sister and I really appreciated that.

Throughout May, my Mum was attended to by District Nurse Tracy. Again, Tracy was very supportive, proactive and helpful. She reacted quickly to our messages for help – particularly when my Mum’s pain was increasing and there were several changes to the medication types that Mum was prescribed. She worked closely and professionally with my sister and I, and it was a huge help.

Both of these experiences were very positive. However, the most significant and poignant feedback that I’d like noted is the exceptional service that both Tracy and Karen provided in the last few days of my Mum’s life.

It was becoming clear around late May that my Mum was deteriorating, and in the last stage of life. I moved into my Mum’s house as of the evening, with the aim of being there until the end. Karen and Tracy arrived at lunchtime the day after, to manage the syringe driver that had been fitted to my Mum the previous day. They were exceptionally communicative and informative, but in a lovely soft and personable way. They had to fetch a few more medical additions for the syringe driver, and came back again at around 4 pm that day to add that in.

It was the same team of Karen and Tracy who then assisted my Mum (and all of the family there at the time). They looked after my Mum so respectfully – and provided a fantastically high level of open communication, delivered in a positive and empathetic manner. We even had a few laughs along the way, which was most welcome!

When Karen and Tracy arrived on a Sunday lunchtime, I met them and shared that we thought that Mum’s breathing had altered, and maybe she was nearer passing. Their energy absolutely matched the changing situation being presented by my Mum’s status, and they were so respectful and provided the calm and peace into the room that was required – but also kept us fully informed in an open and personable way.

Both Karen and Tracy attended again on Monday lunchtime, and advised that Mum was very near to passing. They left Mum in a respectful and elegant position. Mum passed that afternoon. We phoned the District Nurse line immediately to trigger the certification process, and Tracy was one of the District Nurses who came to certify the death. I believe that Tracy completed this activity even though her shift had finished, which is above and beyond. I know Karen also wanted to be there, but had other commitments (understandably). Tracy completed the certification with Una, who was also very professional and personable.

I would really like to say a big thanks to all the District Nurses named above. However, a huge thank you to Tracy particularly – and also an equally huge thank you to the duo of Karen and Tracy. They made a very tough few days more bearable, manageable and even pleasant. They looked after my Mum so well, and provided the right information to ensure there was no confusion or angst.

NHS service at its best, in my opinion.