"Our Mother's care in ward 52 Langlands Unit"

Our mother was admitted to ward 52 with a chest infection and related confusion.

The medical, nursing & speech therapy care we received were excellent and delivered with deep compassion for both mum and the family. Due to her confusion and swallowing difficulties staff accommodated our request to remain involved in caring for mum and we were able to stay with her day and night, using the family room to sleep & shower. This was crucial in us feeling we had a degree of control and that she still 'belonged to us' - a sense that is easily lost when a loved one is admitted to hospital.

In spite of excellent care mum died 12 days after being admitted, while a palliative discharge plan was being arranged. We had always hoped mum would be able to die at home but the sadness of this was lessened by us being able to make hospital her home with family present and supported by caring ward staff.

Medical and ward staff regularly took time to communicate with us, demonstrating care and understanding of both mum's needs and the families.

We are profoundly grateful to staff. The heavy burden of our grief has been lessened by the compassion we encountered in Ward 52 during mum's last days. Thank you.