My 91-year-old mother was admitted to ward A3 at Peterborough City Hospital in July. Sadly it became apparent that she was not going to recover.
The staff on A3 were extremely caring and I would like to thank them all but in particular Vicky, who always went the extra mile, enabling me to take Mum outside to enjoy the sunshine with her friends and family.
Shortly before her condition deteriorated Mum had said that she just wanted to go home. Her condition became critical and she was moved to a single room with open visiting.
That morning just by chance, I met Vicky and she asked if I was aware that Mum could be “fast tracked” home. I wasn’t aware until then!
From that moment the organisation and support was outstanding! Everybody worked together. A hospital bed was ordered, oxygen was ordered, drugs and medical equipment was gathered, carers, community nurses, GP, night nurses were all booked. In less than 24 hours a hospital bed and oxygen was delivered and Mum was transferred to her own home by ambulance to spend her final days with friends and family.
Immediate care was provided by some wonderful staff. I would like to thank the carers from Allied Healthcare agency who called four times a day and provided overnight care, the district nurses who called every day to administer medication, the fantastic Hospital at Home nurses who sat with Mum every night and the district nurses who called in during the night. I would like to thank her GP Dr Borowicz for the compassionate care and support he gave.
By writing this letter I hope it will inform people of what is available in Peterborough for end of life care. I will be eternally grateful for those words; “Did you know we can fast track her home?”
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