"They are doing amazing work"

My dad was treated for a lung infection by the local Acute Homecare team after attending our local urgent care facility at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and being found to have low Oxygen Saturation levels.   He suddenly found himself at home on an oxygen concentrator with portable Oxygen cylinders and after a week or so was discharged by the Home Care team, with a visit by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Community Respiratory Service to follow.

I had been working away and when I came home found Mum and Dad who are in their late seventies and late eighties respectively were overwhelmed with the new Oxygen equipment and managing the Oxygen supply.  I contacted the Community Respiratory Service and we quickly had a visit from Sarah a Respiratory Nurse Specialist.

Sarah was wonderful with dad; she had endless patience and spent a long time explaining everything again and answering all dad’s questions.   She reviewed his Oxygen Prescription and gave advice about how to wear the cannula correctly and not letting the Oxygen hoses become kinked. She asked about dad’s needs and offered to arrange an Occupational Therapy referral, which also happened very quickly afterwards with equipment being delivered and handrails fitted within days.

Mum, Dad and I were really grateful for the attention Sarah gave.  Even though it was a visit at short notice, and I’m sure she had other visits to make, Sarah was really professional and never gave the impression that she was in a hurry to get away or that it was an inconvenience in any way.   She was really attentive to Dad, answering lots of questions from him and me and most importantly gave him some comfort that he could lead a full life while on an Oxygen supply, and reassurance that it may not be a permanent requirement, he may still recover after some time to heal. Before leaving, she let us know that we could access the service again if needed before the next planned review.   

We are really grateful to the Home Care Team and  Sarah and the Community Respiratory Service who did so much for dad and hope that our thanks can be passed on to them.  They are doing amazing work that has a huge impact on the lives of patients and their families.