"My brother's final hours in Critical Care"

My brother's last few days were in Critical Care - Bay B.  He was rushed into Critical Care on a Sunday evening, but after heroic attempts by the doctors and nursing staff, finally succumbed during the early hours on the following Friday.  Due to COVID safety measures we could not accompany, or visit until the Thursday when the decision was made that further intervention would not be of any benefit.  At that point close family were notified and allowed to stay by his side during his final hours.

The professionalism and dignity of care shown to my brother and ourselves will always stay with me.

Throughout my brother's final hours every member of the Team went over and beyond 'duty of care' both to him and the three of us who stayed by his side.  They showed not only an outstanding level of medical care, but gave of themselves and were tender and compassionate throughout.  

They updated and explained Michael's condition and the stages he would go through from the time intervention support was removed until he drew his last breath.  We were always supported emotionally as they explained the final stages of his life; what medical care would be given and how, to ensure my brother was kept out of pain and discomfort as far as medical ethics would allow.

There were very distressing moments when my brother was screened off so that they could attend to his most intimate needs.  There was always at least one member of the team, either with him or within feet of him, throughout his final fourteen hour journey.

I saw medical care at its very best and cannot thank the team involved enough for the tenderness and compassion they showed my brother and ourselves - both before and after he died.  The night staff joined us and quietly listened as one by one whispered final words into my brother's ear.  They prayed with us and then left us alone.

We were allowed to stay with Michael for as long as we needed to after he died.  We were given space to digest that he was finally gone from us.   At some point a member of the team quietly came inside the curtains hugged each one of us and asked if we would like a lock of his hair and a hand print.  We each kept a snippet of his hair housed in a small gold gauze bag, plus a lovely card from the team.

It was a final gesture of compassion and kindness I will never, ever forget and will be forever grateful for.

Thank you Jodie, Ope, Raj, Grace, Shannon, Vicky, Fuseinatu, Nomi and Esme - Lead Nurse.   For a while you became one of the family.