Our mother’s carers in a class of their own

AT a time when we are reading and hearing so many negative stories about our healthcare system, I would like to share a very positive story with your readers.

Following a short but serious illness recently, our mother was to be discharged from hospital and it was suggested that she be transferred to a hospice.

Mother, on the other hand, longed to be in her own bed at home and we her family also wanted her there.

Once our decision was made, the help and support we received from all the homecare people was truly amazing.

The palliative care nurse in the hospital put all the arrangements in place and, together with our local public health nurse, any items we needed to make mother’s stay at home as comfortable as possible were requisitioned and supplied before she left the hospital.

The evening our mother came home from hospital the support from these wonderful people really took off. We had regular phone calls and visits from the homecare team at Marymount Hospice in Cork.

They also provided a 24-hour phone help service in case we needed advice.

The community intervention team (CIT) — a wonderful group of the most caring people we have ever met — called twice a day to help make mother comfortable, talking to her, advising, supporting and encouraging us.

Our local public health nurses were always on hand to support us and any items they thought might make her more comfortable — inflatable mattress, special pillows, backrest, etc — were supplied without delay.

Any medication they thought would maker her more comfortable was discussed with her GP, who also called on her daily.

The nights were made easier for us all by a call from the CIT carers and any time we needed help, a night nurse was sent out to stay with us from 11pm until 7am. Our mother loved all the fuss and was very comfortable and happy. Sadly, she passed away, but she was surrounded by her family and all the things she loved. She had nine wonderful, comfortable days and nights in her own home thanks to all these people who give true meaning to the word caring.

The community intervention team is, I believe, a pilot project by HSE.

I hope it will not only be kept in place but extended, and that many more families like us will benefit from the help and support they offer.

Marion O’Riordan

Eileen Murphy

Point Road

Crosshaven

Co Cork