'My mother died with dignity'

WHEN Jean Crawford was battling lung cancer she had an important wish – to be able to die at home with her family around her.

Thanks to the help and support she received from Marie Curie Cancer Care, her GP and district nurses, the 89-year-old was able to leave hospital and spend the last weeks of her life at home in Gairloch, Wester Ross.

But Mrs Crawford's family realise they were very lucky in receiving such care and support after a report found wide variations in access to end-of-life care around Scotland.

Her daughter, Sheena, praised the "fantastic" support the whole family received.

"My mother died the way she wanted to, at home with her family and cat," she said.

"The Marie Curie nurse was able to help her cope with the pain and her real fear of suffocation.

"We had drugs available at home ready to use when her condition got worse, so she did not suffer unnecessarily.

"My mother was able to die with dignity."