"Mum's last days were as good as they possibly could be"

My mother was in her early 70s suffering from Parkinson's, heart problems and an ulcer on her leg. She had recently moved from her home to a care home where she was very happy. She slipped on a Thursday evening on on Friday couldn't get out of bed. When I went to see her the community nurse suggested she needed to go to hospital - mum didn't want to do that. She wanted to stay where she was.

Her wonderful GP explained to her what her decision meant and the care home agreed that she could stay. For the next days mum received pain medication in the care of her family, the care home and gp. On the 5th day she passed away, quietly, as she wanted.

Because of the caring support of her gp (who visited when she was off duty, on the weekend and in the night), the on call GPs, the district nurse, the staff in the care home and the nhs supplies team who provided a hospital bed at short notice, mum's last days were as good as they possibly could be.

She was allowed to make a choice, be supported in that choice.

Our experience has also had impact locally, with the gp working closely with the care home to help others in our situation to make the right choices for them.

I am extremely proud of our nhs. It has never let me or my family down. I understand that there are always mistakes and failures, but there shouldn't overshadow the lifesaving and life enhancing work that is being done every hour of very day in every part of the UK.