Note these are not specific to end-of-life care.
Unhelpful comments
- Oh, that’s the lady with the neurotic daughter.
- That’s her alcoholic son … he’s always drunk.
- The family just don’t seem to ‘get it’ that he is dying.
- I’ve never met such a demanding family before.
- The patient is ‘doolally’ … He thinks there are tigers in his room!! (note this is probably because the patient has an undiagnosed delirium which is quite common when people are dying) .
- That’s the Professor. He insists on us calling him ‘Professor’ (respect how patients wish to be addressed – and don’t assume that all patients or families are happy to be called by their first name).
- That man has become part of the furniture … do you think the social worker will ever come to see him so we can get him discharged?
Better comments
- Her daughter is her main carer – she’s really upset and worried about her mother.
- We wonder whether her son has been drinking? He seemed unsteady when he came in.
- The family are finding it hard to understand what we’re saying and what’s happening.
- The family need a lot of support.
- I’m worried that Mr X might be delirious. He’s hallucinating and it’s very upsetting for him and his family
- Professor X used to be the Professor of Physics. He is a private person and has asked that we address him as Professor – please can we make sure that staff are aware?
- We have discussed with Mr V and his family and we are all keen to discharge Mr V as soon as possible. Has the social worker been in contact about this?
Page last reviewed: 16 Jan 2023
