THE daughter of a patient who was supported by Birmingham Hospice’s Clinical Nursing Specialist (CNS) team has paid tribute to the vital help her mother received, and the emotional care given to the family.
Mahrunnisha Shaikh was cared for by devoted sons, daughters and grandchildren in her Perry Barr home following diagnoses of lung cancer and heart failure in recent years.
She was well-known in Birmingham’s Indian community for her culinary skills and was hired to cook for thousands of people at weddings and celebrations across the region.
When her condition deteriorated in 2024, daughter Fatema travelled from her home in the Netherlands to look after her mother. She was guided throughout by CNS Rachel Wilson, who is part of the hospice’s Community Palliative Care Team (CPCT).
As one of our highly qualified nurses, Rachel provided expert help on symptom management, psychological support and advanced care planning.
For Fatema the emotional help was just as important as the medical advice.
She said: “Rachel is my superhero. She’s supported me emotionally and gave me the strength I needed; she was always guiding and aiding me.
“It felt like she was part of the family. Any time I would feel uneasy or worried she was able to talk me through everything and reduce by anxiety.”
With this help, Fatema and her family were able to ensure their mother was as comfortable as possible at home in her final few months.
Rachel was able to adjust and order prescriptions, such as her water tablets, and also provided essential equipment like a new commode.
She also helped Fatema to find a cleaner, which allowed her to focus on being there for her mother in the final few weeks.
Most importantly, as Mahrunnisha’s health deteriorated, Rachel was able to take Fatema and her siblings step-by-step through what would happen to ensure they were ready.
Mahrunnisha died peacefully aged 81 in December with her loved ones present to say goodbye.
“The way she explained what was happening meant I understood and wasn’t scared,” said Fatema.
“I was grateful Rachel was there to support us as a family. Her most important advice was to make sure mum felt loved.
“She told us to love mum and hug her close, and she felt so much love from us in the last few months.”
