"My life in their hands"

Two years ago I was discharged into the OPAT and IV Therapy Teams' care after surviving the first of two different heart infections and valve replacement surgery. One year ago I was again discharged following emergency treatment. Both times I was hospitalised for 8 weeks. In 2022 the Nurses visited me twice daily for 2 weeks.

Radiotherapy treatment for tonsil cancer and an abdominal polyp followed. Using a feeding tube was necessary for many months and lead to extreme weight loss.

From November 2023 to date I have been looked after by IV Nurses. Initially this was care at home, up until the end of February. I collected the drugs, saline and other medical supplies every 2 weeks or so. From the beginning of March the new regime meant I visited the WRH IV Clinic in Clover Suite on weekdays and the Nurses came to my home at weekends and on Public Holidays. One of the two drugs, Daptomycin, had to be kept in a fridge which meant buying a small fridge to store bulky stocks at the required temperature.

Until June this year, both antibiotics were administered daily and took about 3 hours to dispense. In the preceding months, the OPAT specialist team had gone to incredible lengths to put forward a business case on my behalf. It took several weeks to satisfy all the queries raised before approval was given for me to receive the drug Dalbavancin.

It is given by infusion pump every two weeks and necessitated the Team initially borrowing the required pump from another Ward for my use in the IV Clinic until a dedicated pump was obtained. The Nurses needed refresher training to use the modern electronic pump to safely dispense the drug.

From June onwards, I attend the Clinic only once every fortnight to receive Dalbavancin using a cannula. Monitoring readings are taken and bloods sent for analysis to check infection levels. After two years of Mid-lines and PICC Lines, it is a welcome relief to be able to shower without needing to wear a waterproof sleeve.

For many months the Team has looked after me with great care, professional skills, empathy and humour. On a practical level this has entailed drugs being administered via Mid-lines, PICC Lines, cannulas and now infusion pump. Their expertise and gentleness go a long way to mitigate the impact of three or so hours of treatment. There are now only two days a month when I feel like a patient, instead of every day of my life.

In addition to administering lifesaving drugs, the Nurses have consistently helped me deal with the mental impact of so many treatment therapies, X-rays, scans, radiotherapy and medical procedures. Often unbidden, the Nurses have interceded on my behalf in liaising with other Consultant teams and disciplines in order to obtain information or expedite requests for me.

Their holistic approach to caring has, on several occasions, identified what actions I needed to take, provided me with a simple, explanation of medical reports, results and findings across several WRH disciplines involved in my treatments.

In September 2023 my prognosis was very poor. Now my physical and mental condition is as robust as I could wish for. Every member of the IV Nursing and wider OPAT Team has gone above and beyond to support me to help deal with what has been a very difficult two years. Their caring attitude extends to a touching concern for my overall wellbeing and that of my Partner.

My view is all IV Therapy Team members uphold the Trust's vision and values and do so in a very realistic and pragmatic way. Their courage, ambition, responsiveness, empowerment and support for the patient and each other is impressive. This commitment is underpinned by team loyalty, excellent communication skills and is driven by a strong desire to work collaboratively and developmentally. I believe that such high standards of performance are sadly quite rare.

Not only has my life been saved twice, but the quality of that life is also now significantly higher than I could ever have thought possible a few months ago. I am so grateful for all that you do. Thank you to each and every one of you.