"My Mum had a family in this care home."

My story with Canniesburn Care Home is one that didn't get off on the best foot.

When my Mum first began living at Canniesburn Care Home I was angry because I didn't believe that was the best possible care option for her. Due to those feelings, my relationship with the home was very practical: I would visit the home simply to take my Mum out of the home for day trips and weekend visits but I did begin to bond with members of staff who were invested in my Mum's happiness during this time.

My opinion of the home completely changed however when my Mum became palliative. As I was privileged enough to be a part of my Mum's passing, I got an unique insight into the daily running of the home: the level of care and attention to detail from each and every nurse/carer/cleaner/chef/manager/handyman/hairdresser, was phenomenal. Day and Night the staff worked around the clock to ensure my mum was as comfortable as possible and that she was never alone. From preparing individual meals to visiting the home on their day-off just to pop in and say 'Hi'.

It was very important to me, as a Nurse, that the home allowed me to be a part of that process; never was I asked to leave the room and that is something which meant a lot to me.

My Mum had a family at Canniesburn and it was the strength and support of that family which made her end of life journey so perfect. Each and every member of staff from Canniesburn Care Home contributed to that but I would like to give special thanks to Cathy, Danielle, Marianne, Jessie, Libby, Jean, Tops, Susanne x2, Rachel, Russel, Charlie, Denise and the new manager Shaun who I think is going to make great changes at Canniesburn, all for the better!