Our first patient, was a young paraplegic man with a pressure sore who had been an inpatient here for the last 6 months as a result. We were able to advise on holistic palliative care needs from postural hypotension to wound care (although not easy when all that is available is gauze and saline!) Victoria made use of her acting skills (fainting, dizziness etc) - although she promises not to give up the day job!
We then saw a patient with an inexplicable external bowel protrusion who was clearly very poorly. We were able to make her more comfortable and formulate a rational end of life plan - it was very sad to witness although the hands free tap was an experience! (foot pedal operated)
Our pharmacy visit was also an eye opener, patients looking through the bars in the picture above are collecting medication not prison visiting (although we have are many inpatient prisoners handcuffed to beds here). Lots of information was collected to enable us to create a flow chart of the morphine trail - something we were asked to do pre visit by the Rwandan Biomedical Centre. Julie was a little concerned by the lack of record keeping although she thinks the nurses at the hospice would love it!! (not a chance it happening though!!!!)
We then went on a general medical ward round highlighting that pain is not the only palliative care need. The Dr in charge of the department has only been qualified 5 years so there was much knowledge and practical advice offered.
We,re back at the hotel now and its raining, and a little cool not that we,re jealous of the sun back home - we also are enduring another power cut! We,re hoping dinner comes more quickly than the 2.5hrs it took last night although with said power cut one has no idea.
Thought we best post a pic of our wonderful translator Daniel posing with the nearest we will get to wild animals this visit.
Records are for wimps lol!!! Not that much sun in the West Midlands today. You haven't missed that much
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