"End of life care"

My 86 year old father was admitted to PAH after a fall in the back garden. He was swiftly seen by the doctors in A&E and admitted with a fractured pelvis. Within 24 hours he was completely delusional and hallucinating. I understand it to be a common problem with some one of my dads age. The nurses and doctors there were great. Very understanding and patient. Sadly my dads condition slowly deteriorated. He became bed bound and completely immobile. He underwent many MRI/PET/CAT scans and many medical examinations trying to find the cause of his condition, but to no avail. As his condition continued to worsen all the nurses and doctors were very supportive and caring towards my dad. His needs now were very high. From a strong 86 year old he wasted away to a frail/confused shadow of his forma self. It was a very distressing time for all the family. Nurses always keep us up to date with any changes in my dad and they were very attentive towards him. Sadly my dad passed away on the 14th of august after developing pneumonia which was the last straw for his already wreaked body. After all the efforts of the doctors and nurses, and the extensive tests and examinations done, his body could take no more.

I cannot express my thanks and admiration enough to all the staff at the PAH for all they did for my dad. Everyone in the Harold/Lister and stroke ward were excellent. They are undoubtedly a huge credit to the NHS and to the PAH.

They have my undying thanks for making my dads last days as comfortable as humanly possible.

I`ve always thought to be a doctor or nurse you had to be a special type of person.......I was right.