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My mother was told her cancer was terminal on her own

Posted By woodpigeonsw89

"My mother was told her cancer was terminal on her own"

About: Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary / Ear, Nose & Throat Western General Hospital / Oncology Western General Hospital / Radiotherapy

(as a relative),

My mother was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in October 2021. She had various treatments before unfortunately in April 2022 she had another scan due to pain. Her cancer had spread to her back. She was told this on the Friday in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. They told her that as she was off to western general on Monday for the start of her radiotherapy they would discuss in detail there about her treatments. Now as she was going with being told she was staying for 5 days so she went on her own. They got her into the ward, and a doctor sat down and told her it’s spread too far and no more treatments would be offered and she has probably only weeks left.

My mum had to phone her partner in tears and tell him this. She was devastated to be told that on her own with no support there. During her cancer care there was little effort made to help her eat and drink. My mum passed away at the end of May weighing 33kg.

No one should be told they have weeks to live on their own. They must have known this in Dumfries before she attended and she could have been told with her partner there. 

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Responses

Response from Alexis Brain, Patient Experience and Safety Manager, Patient Experience, NHS Dumfries and Galloway nearly 2 years ago
Alexis Brain
Patient Experience and Safety Manager, Patient Experience,
NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Submitted on 11/08/2022 at 08:06
Published on Care Opinion at 08:06

Dear woodpigeonsw89,

Please accept my deepest condolences on the recent loss of your mother, and I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback at such a difficult time.

I am very sorry that you found your mother's care to be below the standard that we would all expect for our loved ones and I would very much like to speak to you about this in more detail. I would ask that you reach out to us to allow us to know more about your mother's experience.

I would be extremely grateful if you would contact our Patient Experience Team by email at dg.dgpatientexperience@nhs.scot or by phone on 01387 241690.

Thank you once again for taking the time to share your story with us

Kind regards

Alexis

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Response from Claire Withnell, Patient Experience Officer, Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian nearly 2 years ago
Claire Withnell
Patient Experience Officer, Patient Experience Team,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 12/08/2022 at 12:43
Published on Care Opinion at 15:49

picture of Claire Withnell

Dear Woodpigeonsw89,

I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing and that the news of her treatment plan had been shared with her while she was alone. I would like to echo Alexis Brain of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and appreciate this must be a really difficult time for you.

As Alexis has stated, please get in contact with their Patient Experience Team if you wish to discuss the experience further. As this happened over 2 Health Boards, if you have any concerns specifically about the care your mother received at the Western General, please add this to your correspondence and Alexis will be able to share this with us.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.

Kind regards,

Claire

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