"Fantastic collaborative community end of life care"

After living independently at home for 86 years our wonderful Mum moved to Meldrum Gardens in October 2021  for a period of assessment. Within weeks of gaining a permanent place, she deteriorated and died peacefully in early January 2022. 

Over the last few years she has been wonderfully cared for by our local Medical Practice medical and nursing staff and I could not fault her care. In particular all the doctors for their care, ANP Lesley, Megan and all the reception staff.  They have been so attentive, they listened to us as her advocate and as her condition worsened they helped us prepare for her end of life. Thank you. 

Since August 21 , the Hunter Health District ICST and Community Nursing Team have been invaluable in ensuring Mum could remain at home despite frequent falls, deteriorating mobility and worsening leg ulcers. Under Karen's line management each staff member ensured that Mum's nursing needs were attended to and we could not fault them. Thank you

In late December Mum's condition deteriorated.  Her GP care had transferred to another surgery. The superstar in that surgery is ANP Gillian. This nurse's practice is an excellent example of the value an experienced ANP plays in  improving end of life care for people in the community. She was attentive, knowledgeable, compassionate and most importantly respected Mum's wishes. She ensured that the Meldrum Garden carers were heard and that we as a family were heard to have Mum's needs met. Her prescribing ensured that Mum was as pain controlled as she could be before the Bank Holiday weekend.

 

Over the New Year holiday Mum deteriorated and was unable to tolerate her oral medication. Over the subsequent 5 days the EK community nurses visited Mum several times a day to site her syringe pump. Over the following days they attended very promptly when she required a breakthrough medication. I cannot remember all of the nurses by name but each one, whether they visited at 6:00 am or 10:00pm,  were respectful to us as a family and to Mum. Mum died peacefully with all her children around her.  

The care Mum received at the end of her life was phenomenal . Thank you all

Staff skills

Team work

Staff attitude