"End of life care"

Anything else?

My mother suffered an acute stoke and heart attack and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by the Paramedics at approximately 5 a.m. on the 23rd of September when my Dad called the emergency services. From the moment she arrived in the Red Alert room until her death at 4:30 p.m. on the 24th my mother and her relatives (my Dad, my sister [who had driven through the night from Germany to arrive on Tuesday afternoon] and me ) received exemplary care by all of the doctors and nurses who attended to her. Although it was obvious that my mother, at the age of 97, was not going to survive the trauma of the heart attack and stroke and was unable to speak, everyone was sensitive and made her as comfortable as possible. Every effort was made to make this difficult and emotional time bearable. The doctor and all of the nurses assisted us and enabled me to stay overnight with my mother so that I could give her whatever comfort, love and reassurance I could. When my mother died we were able to see the Chaplain. (She had received last rites from our own pastor on Monday morning.) The following day I was able to collect the necessary documentation to register her death. Even the staff member in the General Office was sensitive and caring. This is a traumatic event in any family's life. However, we cannot express our gratitude enough for the staff at Royal Preston Hospital who looked after my mother during her life and at her death. The National Health Service is a treasure that should never be squandered or undermined.