"My dad's chest infection"

My dad is 89 and has fairly advanced dementia.As a result,his speech and swallowing skills are sadly impaired too. He has had several episodes of aspirating on his food and despite doing our best to adapt his diet he gets recurring chest infections.

He was seen by his GP last month and started on antibiotics.

Ten long days ago he had two hypoglycaemic episodes. On each occasion the paramedics and technicians of the Scottish Ambulance Service were amazing. My dad has type 2 diabetes( normally his glucose levels are high due to his preference for sweet foods). The infection caused him to crash and I thought we'd lost him. I actually thought he had taken a stroke. Stewart on Rapid Response and Claire and Bob from the Hamilton crew were so lovely and so was Chris and his partner the next morning. They were a pairing of a Law and Coatbridge team. The dispatchers were very professional too.

I'd once more like to thank the Hospital at Home team based in University Hospital Wishaw and in particular Charge Nurse Mary. She liaised with Dr Falconer and Charge Nurse Jacqui and her team at the Frailty Clinic( I'm sorry,I didn't catch the other nurses names but you are all so kind) to ensure my dad got investigations and treatment in such an efficient but respectful manner. This seems to be another great initiative targeting the needs of our elders. I should add the radiology staff were great too. 

As anyone who has cared for a parent with dementia knows; it is physically demanding and emotionally heartbreaking. But the love is there and it's not all doom and gloom.

Without all of the people above. Each and every one of them are heroes in my eyes, we just couldn't cope.

On the rare occasion we've had to attend the ED at Wishaw Charge Nurse Dodd and her team have tried their best to adapt the surroundings to my dad's needs where practicable. I think it's great they're also able to signpost people to more appropriate services. I always feel the department is a bit of a magnet for anything and everything and try to avoid it as quite often staff are literally focusing on saving lives.

The care and treatment has been tailored to try to fit my dad's needs as much as practicable. He will hopefully, having avoided a hospital stay, return to his usual routine.