ICU end of life care is respectful, dignified and absolutely NEVER involves patients suffocating. The care provided to the patient and the family is the absolute opposite of barbaric. The press should be ashamed. My utter respect to the nursing and medical staff involved.
I am an ICU trained nurse with a degree and a masters. I think I am fairly bright. Can someone explain to me how I ‘stay alert’ against something I cannot see, cannot smell, cannot taste and with guidelines that make no sense
This is a critical care patient. You cannot learn to look after patients as sick as this in a couple of days! ICU nursing is a speciality that demands significant knowledge and skill! Look after ICU nurses who are really struggling right now STAY AT HOME
@BACCNUK
Visited my husband today. Spent 2hrs talking about our life, home, daughter, holidays. Looked at photos. Drank coffee. When I got up to leave he said”Thank you for coming. Who are you?” I hate Alzheimer’s
Let’s make no mistake this is not ‘spare ICU capacity’. It has been created by cancelling elective surgery and opening beds staffed by non ICU trained staff.
@BACCNUK
WATCH: Protecting the NHS from being overwhelmed is vital. Spare capacity in critical care in the NHS today has reached a new record high of 2,657 beds
And yet, as a nurse, if I broke the law I would be punished, likely sacked, and probably be struck off for bringing my profession into disrepute.
#onerule
Before everyone gets excited about plans for coming out of this lockdown remember that we have more patients in hospital and in intensive care than we had during the first lockdown. We MUST NOT be complacent with any reduction in measures
@BACCNUK
I am Chair of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
@BACCNUK
My family and I have all been vaccinated. I *know* it is the single most important thing I can do to avoid being admitted to ICU or dying from COVID. And because it will protect those I care about most. 💙
For the millionth time
1) You cannot have more ventilated beds without the skilled nurses to manage them
2) You cannot "upskill" staff to become ICU qualified nurses
3) ICU is very complex and needs highly expert nursing staff to manage safely
@BACCNUK
@FICMNews
I have been so lucky to have married a man who I never questioned loved me completely. When he saw me today, despite no longer knowing my name or that I am even his wife, the look of total delight on his face made everyone cry. Make every second count
#earlyonsetalzheimers
Today is my 8th wedding anniversary. I have spent it feeding and talking to my husband who no longer realises we are married. I have no other words 😢Live every day
#earlyonsetalzheimers
Had to feed my husband some of his lunch today as he can’t use a knife and fork any more. Why does such a small thing totally break you
#youngonsetalzheimers
For anyone else in this situation it is absolutely ok to not be ok!
For every patient who dies without their loved ones with them there will be a healthcare professional holding their hand. Often many times a shift. Shouldering that emotion is hard. Please show respect to the staff who are doing this every single day
@BACCNUK
Utter contempt for my profession by
@theresecoffey
Disgusting and demonstrates a complete lack of understanding and respect for the vital role nurses play in delivering expert, safety critical patient care
Nurses can leave ‘if they want to’ – they have already had a pay rise, says Thérèse Coffey.
In an interview, Dr Coffey suggested she would rather recruit overseas nurses than increase pay for those already in the NHS.
Read more ↘️
I wish we could get rid of this "frontline" rubbish. Who is frontline...only staff who see patients...they can't do their job without those that don't. Just because you work behind the scenes does not make you less valuable, work less hard or are less affected by the pandemic.
Seeing my husband look at me and not know who I am is the most heartbreaking experience of my life. For 18 years he has always been my absolute 100% support. For others out there in the same situation I am sending lots and lots of love and hugs.
#earlyonsetalzheimers
@sajidjavid
@DrUmeshPrabhu
“Cower from” does not mean the same as “take appropriate public health measures to reduce transmission and therefore death”. Disgraceful
Just turned on
@bbcquestiontime
to hear
@MattHancock
say that he is classed as a healthcare worker because he works in the Dept of Health. What on gods green earth 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
I’m sorry but can someone tell me why this is necessary? We are preventing relatives visit their dying loved ones and yet this is deemed acceptable
@BACCNUK
I’ve just been fitted for PPE and we’re about to go into an intensive care unit at Milton Keynes Hospital to witness the incredible efforts of medics treating Covid 19 patients. Please note we won’t be depleting the hospital’s PPE stock
#COVID19
#coronavirus
#nhs
Today is one of the most difficult days of my personal life. I just want to hide away until it is over. We all have times like this and feel hopeless. It is so important to find the positives xxx I hope this helps others feeling the same
“I’m very grateful to each and every one, and I wish them all the very best of luck”.
@MattHancock
celebrates today’s
@ucas_online
figures, which show that applications to nursing courses in England have increased by 34%.
Watch 👇
Well a whole year ago tomorrow my husband died 😢 Going to take a Twitter break and go in holiday with my brilliant daughter to celebrate my 50th. Mixed emotions but looking forward is the only way to keep going
Erm.... despite what has been reported on
@BBCNews
can I just be clear that Universities did not shut in March!! My colleagues have been working flat out to provide excellent education to all of our health students who have also supported the NHS!!
A big shout out today to nurses who are not working directly with patients but equally doing a really important job! Felt really guilty today not being stood next to an ICU bed. We need the right people in the right job at the right time
@BACCNUK
It has been 2 years since my husband died. House valued today and put up for sale with a view to moving to the sea (Saltburn area) Feel excited and terrified in equal measure 😬😜😬😜😬😜😬😜
@ScottBentonMP
They are on strike therefor not getting paid. Yet they still go, free of charge, to a sick child in need. Think about that for a moment!!!!
I have never seen my husband cry in 18 years of being together. Today, for the first time, he sat and sobbed for over 1/2 the visit. Totally confused and disorientated. Sat and fed him, talked about my week. Came away feeling like ****
#earlyonsetalzheimers
you can just ****OFF
ICU's across the country starting to report a rise in covid patients. Please please obey the rules. Comply with social distancing, wear a mask, wash you hands. Protect your family, friends, colleagues and those you don't even know because it the right thing to do
@BACCNUK
Trust me no healthcare staff "went back to the staff room for a quiet drink"!! They were scared, in full PPE, protecting their patients, families and colleagues whilst those in power felt they were too important for the restrictions to apply to them. An apology is not enough.
"I don't think at any time he thought he was breaking the law... he thought just like many teachers and nurses who after a very long shift would go back to the staff room and have a quiet drink"
Tory MP Michael Fabricant urges Boris Johnson to apologise
Today I visited my husband with his best friend. He had no idea who we were. Feel proud I have done and will continue to do everything I can for him but a bit more broken with each visit. This time of year is extra hard. Love to others in this place
#earlyonsetalzheimers
If anyone wonders why NHS staff retention is so bad and morale is rock bottom take a long, hard look at this photo. Our Prime Minister
@BorisJohnson
demonstrating total and utter disregard and disrespect for staff working through a pandemic 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬What a complete disgrace
To every single ICU nurse out there.
@BACCNUK
are thinking of you and we will do everything we can to make sure your voices are being heard! Please please look after yourselves
Christmas is going to be different this year. The new measures announced today are absolutely the right ones. It is about protecting those we love. Shouting ‘Christmas is cancelled’ is just pathetic! Feel free to stand on an ICU if you are in any doubt
@BACCNUK
@Edwina_Currie
Your party has decimated the NHS. You and your colleagues are fully accountable for this not the health professionals trying to protect the NHS and safeguard their patients. Disgraceful
#OpPIMA
and sadly we’re fighting a losing battle in the parks today. Literally hundreds of people sitting having pizza, beers, wines. As always a big thank you to those that are observing the guidelines
#StayHomeSaveLives
#ProtectOurNHS
#lockdownuk
Well what a day! Very mixed emotions today. Had an offer accepted on a house so my move to the sea begins (exciting) but it would have been my wedding anniversary too. I hope Mr C is looking down, smiling and proud of my decisions (leaky eyes)
Rubbish. You cannot claim that we had capacity when we have stopped elective surgery, managed ICU patients in theatres/wards with staff who do not have ICU training looking after them. We have created capacity by accepting reduced standards and safety
@BACCNUK
Stephen Powis says NHS capacity has "always been there" for surge of coronavirus patients.
"We always had spare capacity - there were always large amounts of intensive care beds available if needed."
He says the public must continue to comply with social distancing measures.
Isn’t grief weird! Been fine all week. Just cut the grass and tidied the garden. Decided to have a cold beer and sit in the sun reading my book. Cue complete meltdown because OH is not here to enjoy it with me.
I started a homemade advent calendar for my daughter when she was 2. She is now 24, owns her own home and is a police officer. It’s still one of my favourite things to do 😂😂😂
After a very difficult few years let’s hope 2023 is a better one. Feeling very sad at starting a new year without my husband but determined to make him proud and live my life for both of us. I know others are in the same place so sending lots of love and hugs xx
Health Secretary slams nurses branding strike action ‘disrespectful’. Steve Barclay believes the Royal College of Nursing is in the wrong for taking strike action.
Read more ➡️
Hi Nadine. Leader here. Worked similar hours. I led by example, supported my staff through MS Teams and socially distanced meetings, phone calls, virtual drop ins. I posted treats. We said goodbye to staff on MS Teams. We didn't break the rules nor have alcohol fuel parties
Because the role of a leader during a crisis is to keep morale high amongst those who were working 17hr days 7/7 as morale slumps.
No10 was the engine room of the country, it was important to keep people turning up and working and saying goodbye to someone who was leaving was an
Thanks
@TimesRadio
for inviting me offer my opinion on the pay debacle! It's not about working hard during Covid but being paid for the knowledge, skills and expertise we have as safety critical staff who are working in a chronically underfunded/ understaffed NHS
@BACCNUK
Sigh 🤯🤯🤯 For those nurses saying they never needed a degree and have done ok please see link below. We are an evidence based profession therefore read the evidence. There is plenty of it!!
Christmas is hard for many. The last 2 have been awful watching my husband slowly disappear and forget who I am. Whilst I am immeasurably sad that he cannot be here I am determined this year is going to be the start of a new chapter. Much love to those in a similar place xxx
Visited my husband with my daughter today. She has not seen him other than via FaceTime for a while. The look on her face when she realised just how much he had deteriorated and how he didn’t recognise her anymore will be painted on my brain forever. I hate
#earlyonsetalzheimers
To the "covid is not real" anti vax, anti mask idiots who have tried to insult me by email today.......you failed. I speak the truth, you may not like it but it is the truth and I will continue to speak it. So, act like a responsible human being, get the vax and wear a mask.
I have questions! 92%!!!!!!! From where? Where is the placement capacity? Where is the clinical mentorship capacity? Where are the Uni lecturers? How are you going to retain these staff? Just saying it does not make it happen.
For those criticising
@patcullen9
@theRCN
please remember she is a human being, stuck between a rock and a hard place doing an impossible job. Direct your wrath and fury towards the Government who treat nurses with utter disrespect. Some of the comments have been appalling
Today a father and son who I have never met before spent 4 hrs helping me sort out my husbands fishing stuff. It was a job I was dreading and I have shed many tears over. There are some truly amazing people in this world
Move to France complete !!!!!! Reflecting on an amazing time as
@BACCNUK
Chair. Time to celebrate and take a bit of a step into the unknown. A massive thankyou to all of you that supported me over the last 6 years! Apols for the French posts to come 😂
So I have news!Following the
@BACCNUK
conference I am moving to France until the end of May 2024! Time to concentrate on my research, recover from the last few years and continue to support CC nursing nationally. I think Mr. would be super proud. Life is what you make it 🥹🍾
The boards are up!
We now have information boards that explains the contraptions an ITU patient may have. It may give visitors an insight of what to expect when a patient is in our unit.
When my husband lost his licence due to
#earlyonsetalzheimers
I sold my 2 seater soft top as only needed one car. I have missed it ever since. Today bought a MX5. A reminder that life is short, you never know what’s around the corner and to live life as if it is your last day
2 years ago today Mr C died 😢 I miss him and think about him every single day but equally happy he no longer has to suffer the indignity of early onset Alzheimer’s. RIP Mr C. I hope you are looking down and smiling xxxx
The question has to be asked why such safety concerns have not been raised before. Compromised patient safety due to inadequate nurse staffing levels is not new. Had they done something about it there would be no need to strike now
#disingenuous
This is utterly terrifying.
@BorisJohnson
@sajidjavid
where are you? Where is your accountability? Where is the leadership? You CANNOT just leave this to happen 🤬🤬🤬
BREAKING: A very serious situation at hospitals across Lincolnshire tonight as
@ULHT_News
declares a 'critical incident' over "extreme and unprecedented" staff shortages. It says it is "unable to maintain safe staffing levels" leading to "compromised care" across its sites:
But not nurses.....my colleagues risked their own lives working on ICU during this pandemic in order to save their patients lives including yours
@BorisJohnson
Shameful
@BACCNUK
Sending love to all the other 1/2s of
#earlyonsetalzheimers
patients today. Had to make some very difficult decisions today. The right decisions and ones I know my husband would be proud of me for making but heartbreaking nonetheless.
I hope no one thinks I post about my husband for sympathy. I just think that more people should be aware of the impact of
#earlyonsetalzheimers
If I can add to that awareness then it’s a good thing to come out of a horrific situation xx
If we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic and if I weren’t physically and mentally exhausted this article would be hilarious. A ventilator without a critical care nurse is useless. The
#nhs
was
#40000nurses
short before this pandemic even started.
#covid
The majority voted to reject
@SteveBarclay
It is not a fair and reasonable offer. It is insulting. You also need to consider your use of language. Majority (e.g Brexit) and minority (e.g pay offer) cannot be used interchangeably to suit your topic. Get to the table & try harder
Today I wrote to Pat Cullen
@theRCN
after the disappointing decision by a minority of members to reject the pay offer.
This fair & reasonable settlement followed constructive talks so it’s concerning further strikes have been called.
An emotional but relaxing 1st week away without my husband. Lots of sun, swimming and reading! My advice to anyone in my position…. Go for it! You only get one life
#earlywidow
#earlyonsetalzheimers
There are no words to describe how utterly appalling this is. What the hell kind of country are we living in when human beings think this is acceptable
Deborah(stage 4 bowel cancer) Lord Sumption, I'm the person that you say whose life is not valuable.
Lord Sumption - “I didn't say it wasn't valuable, I said it was less valuable” 😯
#bbctbq