My Mum spent the last few days of her life in the RBH. We arrived at night by ambulance and received prompt and efficient care by the team. Mum was fairly promptly moved into AMU where she spent the next 48 hours. This was a busy area and the staff provided a good level of care to Mum and were very kind and empathetic to me as her daughter and carer. I stayed with Mum throughout her whole stay in the hospital and I am so glad that our local hospital has a carer's charter and this was an excellent example of it put into practice and this took a weight off of my shoulders when my presence was encouraged by the staff and accommodated by them.The 2 consultants that saw Mum on the 2 consecutive days on AMU had different opinions on whether it was a UTI she had or whether there had been a stroke. A later CT scan on day 2 subsequently revealed a stroke plus a brain tumour that hadn't been known about before. Mum was moved overnight to a side room on Burghfield ward where the staff (both day and night teams) from nurses, health care assistants and those providing housekeeping and breakfast services, all couldn't have been more kind and caring to both Mum and I. They were all very attentive, considerate and made themselves available anytime we needed anything. Palliative care nurses kept us well informed and reassured about the steps ahead as we approached the end of Mum's life. The one area I was unhappy with was the doctor's communications with myself and my cousin who was present. The consultant didn't tell me anything at all on his first visit, didn't introduce himself or his 2 juniors with him. On his second visit he took us outside the room door so that Mum wouldn't hear what was said and there he told us the CT scan results and that there was nothing more could be done for her except keeping her comfortable until she died. This was both a shock to us and an emotional time and to hear this in the corridor was less than ideal and also couldn't have been pleasant for the patient in the next room,as it was outside her open door.The junior doctors were again present and again weren't introduced to us. I feel a more private location and introductions of all present would have made this a better experience.
"Care of the elderly patient"
About: Royal Berkshire Hospital / Older people's healthcare Royal Berkshire Hospital Older people's healthcare RG1 5AN
Posted via nhs.uk
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