"Lack of palliative care"

My sibling was suffering stage 4 breast cancer.

I was called by their partner to come as they were really concerned and confused about what was happening at Sale Hospital.

Upon arrival I found my sibling in pain.

They had a lot of oedema especially around their abdomen.

It had been drained a few days prior.

It was about a week early by this stage.

My sibling’s partner was told there were no staff that could ease their pain or drain their abdomen. It would have to wait as they can only do it during weekdays.

My sibling asked for their pain relief and was told that it wasn’t needed for 2-3 hours yet.

I was appalled at the level of care my sibling was receiving.

Asking for the manager of the ward, it seemed they looked at their chart and said they were busy, my sibling would have to wait.

A clinician then attended. Their explanation was clinical but not comforting at all. I felt they simply repeated what they had been told.

I asked for the CEO and patient advocate to attend urgently, of which it was conveyed they don’t work weekends.

So I asked for the duty officer in charge.

After some time, they attended. Although, it seemed not happy to do so.

I believe they could see how much pain my sibling was in.

But still nothing happened.

I asked them the hospital mission statement. And patient care charter.

I recall they didn’t know.

I then asked for the palliative care charter. I felt they looked at me dumbfounded.

Then asked for patient guidelines. What is expected. A social worker. No one on duty and was told they were just too busy.

Meantime my sibling was in terrible pain, begging for it to stop.

I requested the head of patient care attend, please, the senior doctor in charge to attend ASAP

It took far too long. I mean hours.

The initial clinician came back, with the same spiel. I asked them to make eye contact. They couldn’t.

I asked for my sibling to be sent somewhere else, maybe another hospital, they refused.

Another person approached me.

I asked about the guideline of professional care of patients OHS.

Finally, I said to the clinician would they let their parent suffer like this. How would they feel if it was their parent, their sibling or spouse. The clinician couldn’t answer and walked out. I could see it made them think.

Another senior staff member came into the room with a senior clinician who looked at my sibling and agreed they were in a terrible state and in pain.

I asked about why it was taking so long as I was aware of what services could be bought in to assist.

The staff who accompanied the senior clinician came back with pain relief, we then discussed my expectations. An air mattress, privacy and my expectations of my sibling’s care.

Pain relief in form of a butterfly to administer pain relief to make them comfortable.

Suddenly, all that was not available suddenly appeared after I state the duty of care of a patient in palliative care.

My sibling was moved to a private end room. And suddenly an air mattress became available.

My sibling had not been bathed for an extended period of time so I cleaned them up and made them more comfortable. They then relaxed.

But I should not of had to drive for hours to get the care for them that I believe is gold standard in all medical facilities.

I believe they suffered for hours, their poor body traumatised by pain.

I recall they had no water in the noisy room. I felt no one cared.

I am emotional still about the apparent lack of care and compassion.

In all my years I have never witnessed a patient treated so poorly in both pain and hygiene.

I am so disappointed in the lack of care and compassion that I understand is required for those who are about to gain wings.

My sibling passed peacefully the next morning. The overnight staff checked on them and called us. We were with them when they passed. I checked their vitals and knew they had gone. Called the staff to confirm.

Based on my experience, it’s just sad that no one gave them the dignity they deserved, any patient would deserve.

The initial clinician thanked me the next day for teaching them a lot about compassion and patient care and they said they’d never forget.

It’s the simple things that matter.

I wrote to the hospital after. No answer.

I often wish we had taken it further with the health department.