"On the night of the 28th at 11.00 ..."

What I liked

On the night of the 28th at 11.00 pm I had a call from the hospital to ask us to go in urgently to see my father who’s condition they were concerned about. I arrived with my mother, my husband, my son and daughter. We were very anxious as we arrived. A member of the nursing staff asked us to come into their office and explained that the doctors were with my father as he had had a further bleed and we would soon be able to see him and the doctor would explain things further.

As we waited various members of staff passed us and each acknowledged us in a polite friendly way and checked if we needed anything. We were even offered drinks of tea or coffee as we waited.

The doctor came to see us. He had been trying to stabilize my father in order to get him fit for theatre but was finding it difficult. Even though he was busy he explained to us fully the situation, the options and offered us as much care as he offered the patient. His manner was professional but also warm and caring. Even though he was busy he made us feel that he was there for us and recognised our needs as well as my father’s needs. We were then able to see my father who was receiving large amounts of blood and other fluids by I/V. The staff continued to work on my father but never let us feel as though we were in the way. All the time they were conscious and sympathetic to our distress as well as the care and treatment of my father.

Later during the night a Registrar was called and she explained the seriousness of the situation and what the options were. Whether to attempt surgery or not. Both options were full of difficulties and though we feel that we were involved in the decisions we never felt that the burden of the decision was being passed onto us but would finally be a clinical decision in the best interest of my father.

The night sister continued to support us during the night and her compassionate, professional and expert leadership was clearly demonstrated by the quality of all the staff who dealt with us that night.

We stayed with my father until he died in the early hours of that morning.

We thank all the staff involved, they made such a difference in the way we have been able to handle my father’s death and we will not forgot them.