"Care given to my mum"

My mum was admitted to Ninewells Hospital due to issues with mobility which we had thought was related to the fact that she was requiring a hip replacement due to severe osteoarthritis. However we were shocked to be given the diagnosis of lung cancer with bone & pulmonary metastasis and that palliative care was the only option. 

Mum was admitted to ward 6 from the acute medical ward for ongoing care. During her time on ward 6 mum received excellent care from one of the staff nurses. When this nurse was on shift and caring for my mum, a point was always made of updating us on mum’s condition and was always attentive to mum’s needs. They were kind, compassionate and professional at all times and is a credit to the ward. We are thankful that they were on shift a fair amount of time while mum was there as unfortunately our experience of care on ward 6 was not always positive. 

My mum was in a lot of pain but other than when the nurse mentioned was caring for mum her pain control was lacking. Most times we visited we had to ask for pain relief for mum and mum would say she couldn’t get staff’s attention as buzzer not always at hand. 

One particular day when I visited I found my mum lying on a dirty sheet and only partially covered by another also dirty sheet, she was in the same nightgown as the previous 2 days and as was the case a lot of times her IV infusion pump was alarming and not infusing. This really upset me as that is just basic care needs regardless of the fact it was a busy medical ward. My mum was bed ridden and totally dependent on staff for personal care and pain control and her condition was deteriorating rapidly. I decided at this point that I needed to make my feelings known and I asked to meet with medical staff too as mum’s pain relief was becoming more of a concern and she just wasn’t getting the care she needed and I felt she should be moved elsewhere.  

Thankfully I was listened to and the following day her first nurse was back caring for mum and phoned me first thing in the morning to say my concerns had been passed on and that a bed was available at Roxburghe House if I wanted mum moved. I was so relieved to hear this news and that this nurse was caring for mum again that day but I asked that they went ahead with the transfer.
 

Mum was transferred to Roxburghe House and from admission until her sad passing she received outstanding care. All staff members were caring and compassionate and mum was finally comfortable and peaceful.