Save Millom Community Hospital by Andy Gibson

Andy Gibson

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 17:22:34 UTC

I'll post up my experience with Millom Hospital... When my Nan was alive, Dorothy, she went through a stage of being in various hospitals, including Preston and Barrow, almost indefinitely - But then, the families hopes were raised as we'd got word she MIGHT be home for Christmas, unfortunately this wasn't the case. However after some discussions amongst the hospitals - Millom agreed to take my Nan, allowing the family to visit her on Christmas day. Ultimately, it didn't matter where Nan was as she'd still be visited, but the fact remains, Millom Hospital took her so that the family could visit her easily and not have to worry about travel arrangements etc on a day where public transport doesn't run! Without the hospital, that Christmas would have been one spent scurrying around and mostly spent in cars. They also let gramps stay for most of the day and gave him Christmas dinner and a present!

Marlene Minter

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 17:24:11 UTC

My dad was in millom hospital for a short time and he thought the nurses were wonderful very caring we need it to stay Xx

Judith Tyson Was Towner

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 17:24:37 UTC

The difference between the level of care between millom hospital a fgh is marked.
When our mum was in fgh karolyn and myself decided we didn't want to leave her side, we knew mum didnt have long left, however we were told we had to leave, after heated discussions we were given the bungalow in fgh grounds, we still weren't happy but we did as we were told.
When dad went into millom hospital in his final days karolyn and I were the same the difference was marked by the fact that we were offered the use of the other bed in the room and a recliner chair, we spent our dads last night taking it in turns lying on his bed with him and sitting in the recliner holding hands, although this was probably the saddest moment in my life it was also the most comforting and when dad finally passed the next afternoon he was surrounded by all 6 daughters and his grandchildren xx

Hayley Hartley

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 17:25:28 UTC

They were really good with our Dad when he was in there x

Jane McFie

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 17:26:41 UTC

My father was nursed and passed away in Millom Hospital 8 years ago. In the last few months of his life he was in and out of FGH and each time we noticed a deterioration in his health and his spirit. When he was finally moved to the Community Hospital the care he received was outstanding, particularly in his final days, the staff being so considerate and compassionate to my father and our family. His spirits were lifted as he was surrounded by family and friends who loved him and could visit him regularly and easily. Although it was a very sad time for our family I remember with gratefulness and fondness the staff there, that he was able to spend the last few weeks of his life in such warm and compassionate surroundings receiving the care that he needed.

Kieley Macdonald Was French

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 17:27:28 UTC

My Auntie Jean French used to nurse in Millom hospital and she did a wonderful job nursing my late Auntie Wendy who sadly died at age 33. She died in peace with family members around her in a loved, safe and dignified environment. This is a human right, if this community hospital closes people may not be able to have that right to die in dignity xx

Alex Lafferty

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:20:33 UTC

I have been in the Hospital myself many years ago as they had no beds at barrow after a large op, it was good for Mum and Dad to visit while working so very convenient and the staff were brilliant, even back then.
But I remember the Hospital being built and it was built by most of our Dads and probably a lot of people's granddads on here today. So it was built by the Millom Community and belongs to the Millom Community so keep fighting guys I wish I was their to fight with you.

Joanne Garnett

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:21:47 UTC

god bless the wonderful community of Millom. We are here to care for your loved ones in a way we would want our own loved ones to be cared for. Let us do our job, our vocation x

Andrea Milligan

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:22:25 UTC

Thanks jenny, I must say there is no way they can close our community hospital, the care the patients receive is impeccable, my dad spent time there with a back complaint, the staff were fantastic and if they used it to it's full advantage it would save on costs at fgh, surely getting the X-ray machine used it would help (so far they can't afford a radiographer to use it). We can't lose our hospital as well as our GP service!!!

Veta Swarbrick

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:22:56 UTC

My husband and loving dad,grandad spent the last two weeks of his life in the care of the angels at Millom hospital he was treat with dignity kindness and love by the staff as were we his family, The hospital needs to remain in our local community for the benefit of all Millom and surrounding area people !!! Come on Millom let's pull together and fight for this !!
The family of the late Tom Swarbrick.

Debbie Taisie Pay

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:25:58 UTC

A good friend of mine wanted to be in Millom Community Hospital for the last few wks of her life,,,Her care there was 2nd to none an her family were able to b there for her and with her in her last hours. If she had to stay in a hospital out of town it would have been awful for them all. We need Millom Community Hospital

Debbie Spear

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:26:41 UTC

My father in law was looked after here in his final time with us ....The care he received was second to none...The care the family received in their time of sorrow was exemplary ....we need this hospital xx

Joan Usher

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:27:50 UTC

My father spent his last days in Millom Hospital great nurses , nothing too much trouble !
All the family could visit on his last days !
I can't believe that they are thinking of closing it , I heard the doctors were moving in there !
We are living at Seascale at present , but hope to be moving back home ASAP!!!!

Kerry Rigg

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:28:25 UTC

My grandad Bill spent many weeks on and off in millom hospital and he was always very settled there and the nurse couldn't do enough for him and our family. We felt very welcome and happy when visting was over that my grandad was left in safe caring hands X

Michelle Mccluskey

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:28:57 UTC

My dad was dying of cancer and was stuck with nutters and drunks in FGH. He was moved to Millom and the care he received was second to none. The care we received, especially my mam, was second to none. It would be a total travesty to lose this service.

Sarah Gregg

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:29:53 UTC

The staff in Millom Community Hospital are fantastic .They treated my Dad with the respect and dignity he deserved unlike a certain other hospital .The politician in charge of this town needs to step up an do something to stop this .Short of doctors disgusting state of affairs !!

Michel Britton

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:30:22 UTC

Both my Mam and Dad where looked after there with Dignity,Caring and Respect we could call in at anytime to see them and in their last days we got them home if they had been further away they may not have made it.Surely they carnt take this away too well have nothing left ?

Jade Taylor

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:31:42 UTC

100% behind this! My grandad had fantastic care in millom hosp. The people that work there are a real credit to the town. Time to make a STAND

Michelle Johns

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:32:19 UTC

My nanna and grandad both received brilliant care at millom hospital,the staff were all brilliant during their stay there!!
It's disgusting if they're thinking of closing,another much needed service will be lost!!
Will help in any way I can jenny xxx

Catherine Sim

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:33:03 UTC

Deffo massive part of our community that we need to keep .... My daughter works there and loves it ... They all do a brill job ...

Janet Pritt

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:47:28 UTC

Mother was in hospital last year for 13 weeks, 6 of them in Millom if it hadn't been for the wonderful staff with all their care and attention I dread to think where she would be now. Not only were they wonderful with mother the help and support we got as a family was second to none and we can't thank them enough. WE NEED OUR HOSPITAL .

Janet Pritt

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 21:48:22 UTC

If I remember rightly Stephen Brew was the 1st child ever to stay in Millom Hospital. He had a broken leg and spent a couple of weeks in their quite a number of years ago.

Theresa Newbegin

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 22:04:06 UTC

Who knows which of us may desperately need this lovely hospital soon?? from ordinary members of our community, to councillors, mayors and even NHS staff themselves! I'm sure that at some time, all of us have been grateful for the care that we, or someone close to us have received there. IT MUST STAY OPEN!!!!!!!!!!

Helen Milligan

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 22:06:13 UTC

As sad as it is, many of our towns local hero's, grandparents, friends, end their days here, In a warm loving environment as near to home as is possible, their friends can pop in, family can do bedside shifts, made to feel cared for by the staff who know them too. There is a lot to be said for that. Afterall, we live in Millom and Millom is where we should be cared for when the time comes. The staff are at risk of losing their livelihoods, and for that along with our town's folk, it needs to be fought for.

Valerie Phillips

andytdgibson — 2014-04-26 22:08:34 UTC

My mum worked here for years...

Gwen Trufitt

andytdgibson — 2014-05-03 22:04:39 UTC

Great to hear about the hospital staying open both my dad and my mam spent there last few days there the night my mam passed away we were told at the end of visiting time we could come whenever we wanted I went home and at 11 o'clock that evening felt the need to go and see her they let myself and my husband in without any hassle and we stayed till mam passed away we left about 6 in the morning this would never have been allowed anywhere else xx

Neil Murphy

andytdgibson — 2014-05-05 10:16:07 UTC

So I suppose our family is like most others in that we don't normally like to share what happens in our family with the whole town. However, I can't imagine a politically driven scenario that will hurt our town like this one will, so I'm more than happy to lay it all out. Helen Milligan posted a poignant message on here referencing that so many of Millom's heroes have spent their final days in their home town Hospital receiving in return the care and support that they gave to their town throughout their own lives. My heroes were my Dad and my Grandad. They were born, lived and died in our town. Both were cared for in their final days at Millom Community Hospital. I had my photograph in the Evening Mail on the day Millom Community Hospital opened so I feel a bit connected to it as well ! In May last year our Dad was diagnosed with brain cancer and he died shortly afterwards in Millom Hospital on the morning of 18th September. In between he was cared for first at Furness General, Royal Preston Hospital and for a short time at St Mary's Hospice, Ulverston. For the most part, our Mam looked after him at home all Summer on her own along with the fantastic help from the Hospice at Home team (who include at last one superb member of the Millom Community Hospital staff). Here's the point. When Dad was approaching his final few days our Mam needed professional 24 hour support to ensure our hero was made as comfortable as possible during his final few hours. St Mary's Hospice at Ulverston had already discharged Dad and could not take him back despite knowing he only had days to live. Apparently it's only a short stay Hospice and we understood that. He was offered a bed at Nursing homes in either Whitehaven or Workington at our expense. Dad lived in Millom, not Workington, Whitehaven, Ulverston, Barrow or Preston. Neither me nor our Sean live in Millom any more and we couldn't always be there all the time to drive our Mam around the county to be there for Dad when he needed her most. Millom Community Hospital said they would look after Dad, and from that point on everything was OK. Just like everyone else on this page has said, from the first day to the last, that Hospital and it's amazing staff gave themselves up for our family and we were allowed to be with Dad 24/7 until the end. We walked down Church Walk to see him every day and night when our only other option would have been a 90 minute round trip to Whitehaven every day and every night. Dad was 77. He was a Millomite. I can't imagine how much more upset we would have been if we had no choice but to leave our Dad in a different town every night when we knew he had only hours left to live. He died in Millom like he was always destined to. Our Dad and our family was made to feel like we belonged to Millom by the way that Millom Community Hospital took care of Dad and us all. Every member of that team treated Dad and our family with the upmost respect and dignity. It meant the world to us when we were preparing to lose our world. Other families of Millom should never be denied that crucial support when their parents are facing their final hours. It's not right - so fight the good fight. Don't stand by while our own Hospital that our parents built for us is taken away by people who don't understand what it means to be a family raised in Millom. It's actually about a husband's dying wish not to be denied being with their wife and children when they die.