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Fighting for change and advocating for a precious loved one.

Posted By hawkpp96

"Fighting for change and advocating for a precious loved one."

About: Northam Health Service Wheatbelt Regional Palliative Care

(as a relative),

I recently went to visit my partner at Northam Regional Hospital.  My partner is terminally ill and I am aware that they only have a short time. They were put on intravenous antibiotics to try and give my partner a chance to clear the cellulitis infection on their legs.  The palliative care Drs had said that they would try to give my partner the best chance to buy more time, before such time as hospice.  

I walked into my partner's room to find them sitting in a chair in their underwear, in an open doorway, on display to whoever was walking down the corridor, visitors and staff.  Their legs were leaking fluid all over the floor and their cannula site had bled all over their hand and there was blood on the floor.  My partner's bed had been stripped and I do not know how long they were sitting in that chair, exposed and vulnerable.  I understand my partner had been told that they did not have any staff to put in another canula and indeed the nurse took their cannula out and they were put on box antibiotics.  

I cleaned up the exudate fluid on the floor and placed a bluey sheet under my partner's feet. I tried to clean up the blood on the floor and reassure my partner and preserve their dignity. I questioned the nurse about the boxed antibiotics and stated that my partner and myself had been reassured that we would be supported during this time towards my partner's impending end of life by palliative care Doctor.

I wish for my partner to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.  I wish for them to be treated with great compassion and better treatment and care than they have experienced up to date.  What happens now determines how I also go forward after my beloved partner has passed away.  I will continue to fight for my partner, be their voice and advocate for them for change and better care.  I do not wish other families with terminally ill, palliative loved ones to have to experience the horror that we have.  Thank you for your time in reading our story.

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Responses

Response from Russell Colyer-Cockburn, Regional Nursing and Midwifery Director, WA Country Health Service - Wheatbelt nearly 2 years ago
Russell Colyer-Cockburn
Regional Nursing and Midwifery Director,
WA Country Health Service - Wheatbelt

Submitted on 24/08/2022 at 9:32 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 9:33 AM

picture of Russell Colyer-Cockburn

Dear hawkpp96,

I am very sorry to hear that your partner is terminally ill. This must be a very difficult and emotional time and I do hope you have support from those near and dear to you at this time.

I am deeply concerned to hear about your recent experience at Northam Hospital and sincerely apologise for the way you and your partner were made to feel and for the distress that we caused.

I would like to let you know that the team responsible for your partner’s care have been counselled by their manager and they have reflected on what happened. They acknowledge that they should have been more attentive in providing respectful and compassionate care.

I am pleased that you have spoken with staff from the hospital and that regular meetings between yourself, your partner and the ward manager are now in place, along with actions to improve privacy and dignity for your partner.

In relation to your concerns regarding your partner’s intravenous cannula, I understand that it is not uncommon for intravenous cannulas to be removed and re-sited (or patient changed to oral antibiotics), and our policy mandates this in order to prevent infection through the cannula site. This scenario is acceptable if the patient does not miss any treatment doses. I have been assured by the treating team that your partner received all the prescribed intravenous antibiotic doses.

We genuinely value feedback from our patients and their families and carers and appreciate the time you have taken to share your experience. If, at any stage you would like to talk to us, please contact Jenni Andrew, who is the Acting Regional Nursing and Midwifery Director on (08) 9621 0719.

Kind regards,

Russell Colyer-Cockburn

Regional Director Wheatbelt

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