Mum in end of life treatment and in pain

Hi

How terribly distressing for all of you. I can understand on a rational level that the nurses can only administer what’s been prescribed but I must say I want to pick them up and give them a good shaking for the response they’ve given you. I am no pain expert but it sounds like nonsense to me given what I do know. And lazy too. 

It’s very hard to know where to turn. In general, nursing homes will either have a designated GP overseeing care for their patients or each individual’s GP will maintain responsibility. It’s worth knowing which it is. But it’s Sunday and tomorrow is bank holiday so either way, the GP would revert to an out of hours service and they may be able to arrange a home visit.  I think there’s nothing to lose by calling nhs111 as they can also arrange a home visit. 

A call to the Macmillan helpline may well be a good idea too. 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/getting-support/talking-to-us/macmillan-support-line.html

I really hope you can get some effective pain relief sorted out. 

Best wishes 

Hi , I am pleased that my friend  has given you a reply.

We would be rattling the doors of the Nursing Home to get an out of hours GP visit. If they are not willing to be proactive then call 111 yourself and ask for some advice.

I do hope that you can get a way forward in this to make your mum more comfortable.

Is there a Hospice near you? These amazing facilities are specialists at end of life care and these problems would not arise as pain control is part of the daily routine and staff are authorised to administer as required. 

We also have these forums where you can connect with others supporting family and friends through their cancer journey: Carers Forum and Friends and Family Forum and Supporting someone with incurable cancer

Follow the link and join the group. Hit the 'Start a Discussion' tab and introduce yourself to the group - you could just copy an paste what you put in this first post. Remember to go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts.

((Hugs))

Hi saw your post and having read it this should not happen, the should be an end of life care plan in place and this should have been done if possible prior to going into the home, if not it should have been a priority to get it in place as it can take a number of days to get everything in place. So ask about this and also ask about a green form being completed for anticipatory drugs (sorry cannot remember what its called) this then allows the nurse to give stronger pain relieve when needed, this is arranged with the GP.

As the others have said you could ring 111 and ask for an intervention but that is best done with the care home nurse and don't be fobbed off, you can also ask to see their care plan and ask about what drugs are currently prescribed. Our experience of care homes is some nurses can be excellent and other can be difficult and dismissive what family raise issues or challenge what they are or are not doing. Hence the advice to push but always be politely firm

John  

Thanks everyone for your replies. They have been most helpful. I pushed for the doctor to see her and held my ground. She now has stronger pain relief and muscle relaxants which the combination of the 2 seem to have the pain under control now. Thanks loads everyone.