Sponsored by
‘Let down’ by health service
b13-202 Mark Wasilewski of Thurleigh criticises Bedford Hospital for its treatment of his mum who had pancreatic cancer. Mark with a picture of his mum with her five children.
A grieving son says his mum was “let down” by health services in Bedford when she was dying from pancreatic cancer.
Mark Wasilewski, who runs Thurleigh Farm Centre, has hit out at Bedford Hospital and Macmillian Nurses for not allowing his family to take his mum home so she could die peacefully.
His mum Vera Wasilewska, 82, died on February 23 at Bedford Hospital after spending a month in there when she was admitted for suffering suspected gallstones.
But Mark says his mum often said she felt “scared” by the care she was receiving.
Bedford Hospital will be investigating the issues raised, and plans to meet with the family to discuss these.
Mark says his mum often said she felt ‘scared’ by the care she was receiving with staff not giving her enough fluids and ignoring her calls for help.
And he claims that his mum Vera was placed on the much-criticised Liverpool Pathway Care System, which was the subject of a Channel 4 Dispatches programme this week, without the family being told.
He said: “I think because of the controversy of this system they never actually told us mum was on it. They always told us that mum couldn’t take many fluids, but after doing some research I’ve learnt that that it is part of their protocol.”
He added that Macmillan Nurses, which his family has regularly raised money for, delayed getting his mum home. She had asked that she could die at home, but by the time the paperwork had been completed she was too ill.
Nina Fraser, director of nursing and patient services, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Mrs Wasilewska’s family at this very difficult time.
“We are committed to providing high quality and compassionate end-of-life care for our patients in line with nationally recognised standards. Involving patients’ families is an important aspect of this care.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
