I work within the trust so when my family and I weren't having a great experience with the care of my beloved Grandad I found it hugely difficult. My nursing instincts within me took over and I found it difficult to prioritize being a Granddaughter and not a nurse. Not knowing how to manage this I sought support from the Palliative Care team who were amazing to me and my Grandad not only as a relative but understanding my position as a colleague.

In particular, after an emotional phone call, Mandy took the time out of her day to come and see me personally in my workplace in my time of need. I was so upset and struggling to manage being the nursing advocate within my family and being fiercely passionate about my Grandad receiving the best possible care. She listened to me intently and took note of my concerns and our wishes for Grandad as a family; from then I knew someone was advocating for Grandad as much as I was. She diverted her day to come and support me for this I am so grateful; after that Grandad's care noticeably changed for the better and he was able to see out the last of his days as he had wished for and the time we had left with him was special as he was to us. As a family from the bottom of hearts, we cannot thank you enough for that.