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Caring staff in his final few days in hospital

Posted By Karenpff2010

"Caring staff in his final few days in hospital"

About: Ninewells Hospital / Acute Medical Unit (AMU) Ninewells Hospital / Medicine for the Elderly

(as a relative),

My boyfriends elderly father started feeling unwell in the middle of October this year and recently was admitted to Ninewells Hospital Ward 15 by our Out of Hours GP with feelings of breathlessness, sweating, and shakiness, among other symptoms.

A few days later he was transferred to Ward 5 and tests established that he had some sort of lung infection (later declared as pneumonia).  Relatives came to visit him in hospital during his time there and he was on oxygen, and was a bit delirious and confused. However the staff were confident that they would get him sorted out and transferred to Stracathro Hospital in a matter of days (and this would mean he would be nearer to home too, in Angus.)  Unfortunately he took a turn for the worst and passed away suddenly in Ward 15.  

We (the staff and relatives) were so sure he would have the reserves in him to get even slightly better and moved to another hospital nearer home, but that wasn't to be the case unfortunately. My boyfriend and his relatives are still quite upset at this time and arrangements are being made for his funeral now.

-----

I would like to say a big thank you to the wonderful staff on Ward 15 and later Ward 5 who were so kind, mega helpful and informative during our relative's stay in hospital and to his visitors also.  I know staff are overstretched and really busy, but they always took the time to have a word with us and nothing was too much for them. 

Thank you is not enough really! They were really helpful after the death of my boyfriend's father also.  People and the media are quick to slag off the NHS at any opportunity, but our experience in Ninewells has been (mostly) a positive one. I must send the wards a Thank You card. It's the least we can do  :-)  xxx

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Responses

Response from Tracey Passway, Clinical Governance and Risk Team Leader, Clinical Governance and Risk, NHS Tayside 7 years ago
Tracey Passway
Clinical Governance and Risk Team Leader, Clinical Governance and Risk,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 01/11/2017 at 11:58
Published on Care Opinion at 13:58

Thank you for sharing your experience and feedback regarding your recent contact with Ward 15 and ward 5 Ninewells Hospital. Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss and we wish you, your boyfriend and his family well at this difficult time.

We value all feedback provided to us and will pass on your kind words and thanks to all the staff involved in caring for your boyfriend's father. Again, please accept our condolences and thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.

Jane Brown, and Lynn Lambie, Heads of Nursing within Medicine.

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Response from Shona Dickson, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Tayside 7 years ago
Shona Dickson
Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Ninewells Hospital,
Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Tayside

As a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, I offer support and advice to improve the quality of life of people living with advanced illnesses who are admitted to hospital.

Submitted on 01/11/2017 at 13:14
Published on Care Opinion at 13:58

picture of Shona Dickson

Dear Karenpff2010

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your story on Care Opinion and my condolences to you and the family on the loss of your boyfriend’s father. It’s very thoughtful of you at this difficult time to make the effort to thank the staff and I am sure they will appreciate your words and be touched by them.

My name is Shona and I am a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse in Ninewells Hospital. I don’t work on Ward 15 or Ward 5 but I am part of a team in Ninewells who offer specialist palliative care support to patients and advice to ward staff caring for people and so was very interested to read your story. It’s so good to hear about times when we get things right and I will share your story with Ward 15 and Ward 5 staff. I wanted to let you know that your story has been an encouragement to our team and reminds us of the things we need to keep doing.

Best Wishes

Shona

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Update posted by Karenpff2010 (a relative)

Hi Shona, thanks for your kind response.

The funeral has been held, and the money raised at his service we would like to donate to Ward 15 - as a way of saying Thank You to the staff there who work hard, round the clock to care not only for our relative, but for other patients there too. It's the least we can do! I don't know if you spend it on cups of tea for the staff, or supplies there, but do whatever you want with it, we hope you give it a good home! I hope to return soon to Ninewells to deliver the card and cheque in person (on the same trip I'm booked in to Give Blood on Level 8 as usual! Two birds, one stone comes to mind.) Hopefully this trip to Ninewells will be a more positive experience for me :-) x

Response from Shona Dickson, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Tayside 7 years ago
Shona Dickson
Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Ninewells Hospital,
Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Tayside

As a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, I offer support and advice to improve the quality of life of people living with advanced illnesses who are admitted to hospital.

Submitted on 08/11/2017 at 13:37
Published on Care Opinion at 13:58

picture of Shona Dickson

Dear Karenpff2010

Thank you for getting in touch, it's nice to hear from you again.

It's very thoughtful of you and the family to donate the money raised from your boyfriend's fathers funeral to Ward 15. Any donations are normally used to improve the comfort and experience of patients who are admitted to the Ward and will be gratefully received. I'm sure the Ward 15 team will be happy to see you whenever you feel ready to come back to Ninewells and although the trip may bring back memories of your boyfriend's father, hopefully it will be a more positive one as you say.

Best Wishes

Shona

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