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Lockdown bereavement

Posted By Wenbs75

"Lockdown bereavement"

About: Ninewells Hospital / Accident & Emergency Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance

(as a staff member posting for a carer/relative),

I just wanted to extend my thanks to the paramedic team and the team within the A&E department at Ninewells.

My elderly father took unwell in the early hours one day at the end of March and was taken by a wonderful team of paramedics to Ninewells Hospital. Although it took almost an hour for an ambulance to arrive once it did the team acted swiftly and compassionately towards my Dad who was desperately ill by this time.

Obviously with Covid restrictions I was unable to accompany him to the hospital which was very distressing not only for myself but also for my father.

Once at Ninewells the consultant Alistair who cared for my father kept me fully updated as to his condition and also had to make the very difficult phone call to me to tell me that sadly my father had passed away.

Alistair explained that I would be allowed in to see my Dad but unfortunately I myself had tested positive for Covid 19 and was unable to see my father in hospital so my last memory of my Dad was him leaving to go to Ninewells

I cannot praise the staff enough who looked after my father at what must have been an extremely difficult and frightening time for them all and to have to advise families of a death under these restrictive circumstances must be very upsetting. Even after my fathers death Alistair contacted me again later in the day to ensure that I was okay and I also got the opportunity to speak to Paula the nurse who held my Dads hand as he died. Her words and those of Alistair have been a huge source of comfort to me to know that my Dad was not alone and someone was with him has helped me hugely.

I have worked for NHS Tayside for over 20 years and am incredibly proud to work for an organisation that has shown determination and true courage in facing and managing this pandemic.

I will forever be indebted to these incredible individuals for making a heartbreaking situation a little bit easier.

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Responses

Response from Sean Mcartney, Operational Nurse Director, NHS Tayside 3 years ago
Sean Mcartney
Operational Nurse Director,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 01/07/2020 at 16:21
Published on Care Opinion at 16:21

Dear 'Wenbs75'

Condolences to both you and your family for your recent sad loss. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation for the care provided by Alistair, Paula and the A & E staff at Ninewells Hospital. I am also pleased to hear that you were kept fully updated regarding your fathers condition and that you received a follow up call after his passing. We value feedback and I will ensure that your positive comments are shared with Alistair, Paula and the A & E team. I hope that you have fully recovered from your recent COVID infection.

Thanks again.

Sean McArtney

Lead Nurse

Unscheduled Medicine

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Response from Alan Martin, Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs and Engagement, Scottish Ambulance Service 3 years ago
Alan Martin
Patient Experience Manager, Corporate Affairs and Engagement,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 02/07/2020 at 12:12
Published on Care Opinion at 12:12

picture of Alan Martin

Dear Wenbs75,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback here on CareOpinion. Please accept my sincerest condolences for the loss of your father. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult a time the last few months have been for you and your family. It is testament to those you mention that you write such positive feedback at such an emotional time.

I am so pleased to hear about the care and compassion shown to you all, particularly from our crew that transported your father. Whilst it has been very difficult for our crews to not allow anyone to travel with patients, it must be even more difficult for the patients families and loved ones to be told this and watch as they are taken in one of our vehicles. It is pleasing to read that the crew acted with the professionalism that we would expect. I am sorry however that you had to wait almost an hour for the vehicle to arrive. It is an exceptionally dynamic environment that we were working in and if there has been an delay I can have that looked into for you. It may have been the workload that morning as we have been very busy.

I you would like I can also pass on your kind comments to the crew. In order to do this I can be contacted at alan.martin2@nhs.net. I will just need your fathers name and the date and address we attended to locate the job.

I would also like to say that I hope that you have recovered from COVID yourself now. I am sorry to hear that you were tested positive. That must have been very traumatic. I wish you all the very best.

Kind Regards

Alan

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