Nigel 18 February – Some notes from my night shift

I feel so privileged that Sallyann, who heads up our Night Response Service, and specialist palliative care nurse, Rebecca, kindly invited me to join them on their shift last night. I saw for myself just what a difference the team makes to local people facing the most challenging of times, which is only possible thanks to kind donations from our supporters.

Sometimes there can be as many as 11 visits in one night. Tonight, we visited four different patients and by the time we left, each one was feeling a little more comfortable – and comforted.

Visit 1- Surbiton The lady we called on had her bed in her front room. During the day, carers came, but the night must have been dark and lonely. Her catheter had come out and if she hadn’t had the Hospice to call on, I’m sure she would have endured the pain and discomfort until morning. She was distressed when we arrived, but I could see her gradually become calmer as the team cleaned and reinserted the catheter. They held her hand and cared for her tenderly, while treating her with dignity. Rebecca picked up on the many family photos in the room and gave her an opening to talk about her grandchildren. Before leaving, the team arranged her pillows and ensured everything she needed was within reach.

Visit 2 – Chessington This person lived alone and was clearly quite isolated. He’d called because his foot was incredibly swollen. Sallyann and Rebecca gently tended to the wound and redressed it – but there was far more to the visit than this simple act of healthcare . They engaged him in conversation and tidied up the room to make sure it was safe, reducing the risk of falls. We left him feeling more at ease, physically and psychologically.

Visit 3 – Claygate This visit contrasted with the others as the lady was part of a lively, multi-generational household, with relatives helping to care for her. She was in pain, so the team checked and adjusted her medication and helped reposition her on the bed to make her more comfortable. English wasn’t the lady’s first language, but Sallyann and Rebecca managed to overcome communication barriers and reassure both the patient and her family.

Visit 4 – Thames Ditton Our final patient was in a nursing home. The staff had called with concerns about her breathing and worsening condition. Sallyann and Rebecca had the expertise to immediately identify that she was nearing the end of life. They set about addressing the patient’s pain and making her as comfortable as possible – they even brushed her hair. I was touched to see the respect and gentleness they showed to her. They also reassured the staff that they’d done the right thing in calling, advised them on next steps and suggested they call the family. Thanks to their expertise, this lady died peacefully during the night with her family around her. Knowing they had that opportunity to say goodbye will have really helped them to process their loved one’s death.

I’ll never forget driving through the night to homes where people felt vulnerable and isolated. I had the sense that the nurses made each moment we were there as special as it could be, lighting up those dark and lonely homes with a warm, bright light that made all the difference.