"The Renal Unit and Palliative care teams"

My father unfortunately just passed away...he had been on dialysis for just over a year...the support that he and I got from the staff in the renal unit was brilliant...the team is led by an amazing woman who is a credit to the NHS. People are so often ready to complain but not so quick to praise great staff...I hope all the staff get to see this....My feelings about dialysis are mixed based on my fathers experience. The good news it prolongs life...the bad news is it left my father drained of all energy and I wonder if I knew how he would react to the treatment whether I would have supported his decision to go on it...But like all sons I wanted him to live as long as possible...hard choice.

Also I wanted to mention the palliative care teams I experiences. These were from Mcmillan, District nurse and the Hospice at Home team - I think linked to the Peace Hospice. OMG how good are they! Everyday they deal with terminally ill patients...that must be hard enough...I think I met about 10 staff from the 3 agencies...Every single on were exceptional for different reasons. I hope if you are ever in the same position you get the same level of care my Dad and I got.

So although this is a desperately sad time for me...I remind myself my Dad was 86...had a great life...was well looked after by the Renal and Palliative teams - he wanted 3 things...he wanted to die at home, without pain and with me...We managed all 3...