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St. Lukes Hospice 2020-02-23 Person 2 5 0

Sadly although our experience of inpatient care at Turnchapel was exemplary and faultless, I cannot say the same of the EOL team. My husband came out of Derriford Hospital where they had suggested he was on the verge of death: I did not believe that diagnosis not because I did not want to lose him but because the signs were not there - he was lucid, eating and drinking well, bodily functions were normal. The EOL team - please can that be changed? - were patronising from the outset and disinclined to listen to the patient or his wife. A sister turned up unannounced one Sunday night and insisted on giving him a bed bath: I remonstrated with her that he has had one earlier in the day and that movement was difficult and potentially painful for him. I was brushed aside like a hysterical ninny - and then told that it would require 3 people to move him in future since he was "so large". Large because he was on high-dose steroids which promote weight gain and appetite and he had terrible fluid retention because of his cancer. That was shocking enough. But then another team later refused to listen to the patient who was desperate to open his bowels. The team refused to help him - there were 3 of them but the care plan specified 2 were needed to hoist him. I told them this was nonsense on stilts - could one not leave the room? I was left to try to help him with my 87 year old mother after they had gone. It was distressing, unnecessary and frankly unprofessional. I complained to another staff member and I understand that was addressed - but no-one from management contacted me to confirm that. The EOL team members acted as though they were "in charge" and my husband and I were deluded or daft. I was shocked at their attitude, genuinely so. I am able to stand my ground but anyone else could have been left even more upset at what is a distressing time anyhow. He later died in St Luke's - the inpatient team were completely different - warm, compassionate and involved. I hope our experience was a blip - but somehow I fear not. Please address this management.