"We feel fully supported as a family"

My father was recently admitted to hospital with his COPD to ward 43.

The nurses and staff here could not have been better. Their level of care was greatly appreciated. This led to further investigation, which resulted in a terminal lung cancer diagnosis.

From the moment the lung team started investigations under the careful and watchful eye of Dr Fairbairn they gave speedy results, fitted a drain which gave relief from symptoms in days. The prognosis was delivered by Dr Fairbairn and clinical nurse specialist Ed, privately, sensitively, compassionately, explaining things in easy to understand vocabulary, answering any questions fears we had, giving us time to process the news, explaining the level of care we could expect going forward, getting this in place immediately.

My father was well enough to go home the next day and the package of care was in place immediately. Within hours we met with Lesley, our respiratory nurse, who had oxygen arranged to be fitted by the next day for my dad at home. Ed armed us with all the information on what could be expected next, what might be on offer or not depending on biopsy results.

District nurses were put in place to start the very next day. They have been visiting Dad at home 3 times a week to drain his lungs which has just made breathing along with the oxygen life changing. They always arrive clinically clean and cheerful, they do an outstanding job.

Over the last several weeks we’ve all had questions, and the clinical nurse Ed assigned to Dads case has been so incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, easing any concerns answering all questions my sister would put to him. Not all of these medical I might add, he also helped with getting attendance allowance and so much more. Knowing we have this level of support at the end of a phone, or a quick email is very comforting.

I would not wish a terminal illness on anyone, but the level of care given to date for my Dad has been outstanding and is making our journey through this passage of time easier knowing how fully supported we are as a family.