“The community nursing team have become friends to us. Without them visiting my home every day, I would have needed a long stay in hospital. Which would have had a big impact on my disabled wife and family.”
That’s the view of Christopher Cuthbert about the community nursing rapid response team. Who visited his house for six weeks to give him intravenous treatment.
Christopher, who lives with his wife Elizabeth in Eaglescliffe, was admitted to the University Hospital of North Tees last year with an infection to his finger.
The issue (osteomyelitis) is a rare but serious condition. It had spread through his bloodstream into the bone, making him very unwell.
After some time he was told he would be visited by the trust’s rapid response team. Importantly, they would be able treat him with antibiotics from his own living room.
Christopher said: “It was such a relief to know I could get the care I needed from my own home. Meaning, I didn’t need to be in hospital and could be here for my wife.
“The community nursing team were committed to providing an excellent service within my home to myself and also always considering my wife’s needs too.
“I feel the staff have become friends to us during the time they have been visiting us. Everyone has been exceptionally friendly, caring, and always professional.
“We would like the team to receive some recognition for the excellent care they have given to me and all the superb work they do.”
The team were visited by rapid response nurses Elizabeth Terry – who Christopher calls the ‘cannula queen’ – and Justin Ditchburn. As well as care group head of nursing Paul Rafferty this week.
This was after Christopher nominated the service for the trust’s team of the month award.
Speaking to Christopher in his front room, Paul said: “We are all so proud of the team for everything they do for patients. Thank you so much for nominating them and highlighting their fantastic work.”
