Here we hear from some patients who have already benefited from innovative services provided within their own homes:
Eluned Rees, from Talgarreg, Ceredigion
says the Acute Nursing Team has changed her life and that of her family as well. The 51-year-old has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for more than 20 years, and prior to the team being launched in the county, had to be admitted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff
Now she receives that treatment within the comfort of her own home.
“It made a huge difference to me as I am more comfortable at home. I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted, watch television and spend time with the family,” she said.
“I also didn’t have to feel guilty about taking up a hospital bed. I always felt when I was in hospital that it was fair enough if I needed on operation or was an emergency, but just to have antibiotics through a needle made me feel as if I was taking a bed that someone else may need more than me.”
John Prosser, from Burry Port
says healthcare staff from the Continuing Health Care team made his wife Noreen feel valued in her final days. Noreen had motor neurone disease and was able to spend her final days at home, thanks to the team.
“Nothing was too much trouble for these nurses,” said John “Each of the nurses had a very human approach; they spent much time getting to know Noreen and shared a rapport with her.
“I can’t list every act of kindness – it varied from the gentle way they provided medical care to the little touches like painting her nails and sharing stories with her. She told me they made her feel valued as a person again and for that I will always be very grateful.”
Christine Barber, from Llanelli
calls the nurses and healthcare assistants from the Acute Response Team her ‘little angels’. Christine receives treatment for a lung condition she has had almost her entire life and which regularly requires her to have antibiotics administered through a needle. She used to spend up to two weeks at a time in hospital, several times a year, but she can now receive this treatment at home.
“It’s made my life much more normal and I wouldn’t be without my little angels for all the world,” she said.
“Because the service has been rolled out to Ceredigion recently, I was even able to go on holiday with my family to our caravan in New Quay when otherwise I would have had to stay at home.”
Best of Health Staff Awards 2010
Local health heroes have been recognised for their contribution to patient care at Hywel Dda Health Board's Best of Health Staff Awards.
