For the past two years I have worked in a District Nursing team as a Community Staff Nurse.  As part of my role I have the privilege of nursing patients in end of life care and organising care packages to support them. 

One of the difficult decisions given to those in the end stages of life is where they would like their last weeks/days to be spent. A decision that we would hope to never face ourselves, or with loved ones, but that becomes immensely important to those involved.  These people, who range in all ages, may be nursed for a year or days. Some have massive support networks of both friends and family and some don’t have anyone. Whatever situation they are in, if a patient decides they want to die at home we would try our best to respect their wishes and facilitate this.

As people become more unwell, they require more complex medication, symptom management and there are a lot of emotional and physical needs of both patients and relatives. Whilst District nurses, Nurse Specialists, GPs etc. are involved and may be seeing them daily, there will be periods of time when a professional is not physically present.  Some patients like this time alone together with family and loved ones but others would prefer to have the reassurance of a professional there especially during the night. 

When a patient requires additional care we will often use Marie Curie as an aid to support care in place. Marie Curie nurses will come to care and stay with the terminally ill patients in their home throughout the night.  They will keep the patient comfortable whilst supporting both them and relatives, allowing them to spend precious time with ones they love before passing away in their home. It also means that those people who don’t have anyone can have support, reassurance, company and get to stay in their home if they wish.

All the Marie Curie services are free and rely on charity donations. There is a continued need to raise funds and support this charity. Therefore I will be taking part in the Great North in 2016 to support this service in my own way. I want to know that this service will continue to be available when required as everyone deserves a dignified death. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and many thanks in advance for any donations received

Natalie

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