Worried about local services

ElaineD1969 20 days ago

1 reply

Hello, I am Elaine, and my Mum, Isabella is 89 and on palliative care.

Mum has been on palliative care for a year and a half now, she has been in and out of hospital since she was 10 orthopedically but the past five years more her general health.

The district nurses put Mum on palliative care as she was sent home from hospital and took a turn for the worst and I was told Mum would not make it through the weekend, but thankfully she did, but since then there has been sepsis and other infections, and since Mum's wishes are to die at home, apart from the DN's who are wonderful, our GP's, we can also get Hospital at Home Care if required.

Marie Curie have been like angels, we don't get them very often, understandably, but now I am hearing services at home are being reduced and people like my Mum will go to the bottom of the queue.

I live with Mum, it is only me, no partner or brothers or sisters, so the buck stops with me, but I care for Mum out of love. December last year she was diagnosed with Pulmonary fibrosis, which is now getting worse and heart failure along with other life long conditions. The DN's say Mum will never come off palliative care, but if Marie Curie cuts the services then we will have not support at all.

So sorry for the long story, I am at my wits end, has anyone else been faced with similar issues?

Elaine

admin 19 days ago

Hello Elaine,

Welcome to our Online Community and thank you for joining.

We’re sorry to read about your mum’s diagnosis and all you’re going through as a family. 

We’re pleased to hear that your mum has a supportive GP and that the District Nurses are wonderful. 

It’s also lovely to hear that the Marie Curie Nurses have been like angels. We’re really sorry to hear you don’t get them often. Our services are commissioned by the NHS, and we are reliant on their funding to deliver our services. End of Life care is and will remain a priority for Marie Curie and we are committed to finding ways to support more people at end of life. Hopefully if it’s not us who are able to provide care there will be other service available in your mum’s area, like the Hospital at Home Care you mentioned.

If you would like to talk about this in more detail, or if you would like to speak to our Nursing team in mums area please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Support Line for free on 0800 090 2309. You can also raise your concerns by contacting comments@mariecurie.org.uk.

Take good care, 

Marie Curie Online Community Team