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DonateTracy and Tony's Story
Tracy’s father Tony was referred to our Virtual Ward following a palliative diagnosis of oesophageal junction cancer.
She said: “When my dad had the diagnosis, our world fell apart. It was a shock to us as a family as it all happened so quickly and it was heartbreaking to watch him deteriorate.
“He had been in and out of hospital for treatment, and following his last stay he asked us not to take him to hospital again. He asked us to grant him his wish that he wouldn’t die alone in hospital and that he could stay at home with us.”
Tony was referred to Compton’s Virtual Ward which aims to offer specialist intensive levels of support and monitoring to patients in their own home, or the place they call home, that is similar to the level of support they would expect to receive on an inpatient unit. They work alongside local generalist teams such as GPs and District Nurses to offer specialist input into patient care.
Tracy said: “Before Dad was referred to Compton we didn’t realise that there was such a thing as a virtual ward, we explained to Dad that he didn’t have to go into hospital but that the Compton team would come out to him at home. I was Dad’s carer as it was tough for my mom who is elderly too.
“The care from the Compton nurses and doctors was just amazing, we even had a paramedic come out to us at one point, they always talked to Dad, and to us, about what was happening with his condition with such clarity and care.”
Patients of our Virtual Ward receive regular reviews by our Rapid Response team or Specialist Palliative Care team. Their care is also discussed as part of virtual ward rounds to ensure regular doctor reviews take place, and within multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure any uncontrolled symptoms or complex needs are addressed using the specialist knowledge and expertise across the different teams.
Tracy continued: “The Compton nurses and doctors would always talk to Dad with compassion, even when he wasn’t conscious they would still talk to him, they talked with such kindness. This, together with the fact that they were always at the end of the phone 24 hours a day, made everything so much more bearable for us.
“It was hard to deal with for us as a family and it was hard making decisions, but the Compton team were always there to call when Dad needed support, such as pain relief.
“As Dad weakened, the doctor talked us through the changes to expect as he neared the end of his life, such as changes in his breathing. She was so lovely and this information was again given with compassion, she explained things clearly and I felt that was what we needed at that point.”
Tony passed away at home, with his family, in May of this year.
Tracy said: “Dad was very clear that he wanted to die at home, so to be able to give him that comfort, with Compton’s support, was just amazing. We were able to fulfil his wishes and for that we are eternally grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”