Dear Sir,

My sisters and I would like to tell you our story. Last November, we lost our beloved mum. Mum was 88 and had suffered with Alzheimer’s disease.

She lived the last five years of her life in Bermuda, where two of her daughters lived. Mum was cared for by her daughters and a retired nurse we employed.

Mum’s condition started to deteriorate last summer — she ate less and less, but was encouraged to take nutritional drinks.

In the last weeks. Mum could only manage sips of water but soon her ability to swallow was all but gone.

Her third daughter arrived from Britain when we had the toughest decisions to make.

We agreed Mum needed end-of-life care, and her doctor agreed.

Mum had always received excellent healthcare from the medical practice that one daughter worked at and her doctor prescribed oral morphine, as she was in pain when repositioned.

Within a week, Mum could no longer swallow and we requested the involvement of Pals as a syringe driver was now needed.

To be told this was not an option because Mum did not have a cancer diagnosis was a terrible shock.

By now, only one daughter remained living in Bermuda, so care was now down to her. She had no support because there was none to have.

This hit us hard, mum was a retired nurse and two daughters also with one having worked in a UK palliative care setting.

We only wanted our mum to have a good death, gently slipping away without pain and with her loved ones near by.

Mum hung on for three more weeks, cared for by her daughter. Her body pitifully thin, unable to swallow and in pain. Her breathing was very laboured and noisy, distressing to witness.

Mum passed away on November 25 and was now at peace. But when does peace come for her family.

Mum did not have a good death; it was long and drawn-out, and she was in pain until the end because Bermuda lacks the very thing every human should be entitled to.

Not everyone wants to die in a hospice, which is where a community team step in. Syringe drivers can be used and help is only a phone call away.

Most hospices rely on the public generously donating the creature comforts. We believe Bermuda can provide end-of-life care to a high standard available to all.

We know Pals does this already for patients with cancer, but there is a huge gap for non-cancer patients.

We know doctors want palliative care to be extended especially to people’s homes. As doctors and nurses, we are committed to healing, caring and supporting, but there is a time when healing is no longer achievable.

Care and support are now paramount.

Asking for donations to start fundraising for a new service is always difficult, but it can be done to build on what is already in place.

Death affects us all, regardless of colour or creed, but should also include cancer or non-cancer.

We want to highlight the need for such a service in Bermuda and raise awareness of end-of-life care in the memory of our mother, who deserved so much more than we could give.

JULIET SINNOTT, ANNETTE ALLEN, NICOL TEAR