A support group for women in West Lothian is being launched in memory of a former nurse from Bathgate.
Nicola Thyne, died in January last year aged just 35. The mum-of-two from Bathgate had endometriosis and had been suffering horrendous pain while awaiting surgery.
Nicola, who was also a police officer, had previously been in the Army and worked as a mental health nurse.
Unable to suffer the physical pain she was in, she took her own life. Her sudden death came as a shock to those who knew and loved her.
Nicola’s mum Elaine Watson, 64, claims her daughter was failed by the NHS, and couldn’t endure any more suffering after scheduled surgery was cancelled and she was told she’d have to wait a further 18 months.
“She was let down big style by the NHS,” said Elaine. “She suffered for 15 months with severe endometriosis and was in agony.
“Nicola had to give up her job in the police because she couldn’t stand the pain. She had presented at the hospital with severe pain umpteen times and was always given painkillers, including morphine, and then sent away.
“She’d phoned the doctor about her op taking place sooner and received a call a week before [she died], telling her that she’d be seen in a month to three months. She was elated, but on the Wednesday she phoned me and told me that they’d told her she’d have to wait 18 months.”
News of the further wait seemed to be the tipping point for Nicola. She wrote letters to all her family members before, tragically, she was found dead at home on the Friday.
Nicola was mum to a daughter and a son, who are now 15 and 12 years old.
“She just couldn’t take it anymore,” Elaine admits. “Two Christmases in a row she had to drive herself to A&E but she was just punted back out the door with medication.”
A women’s support group, simply named Nicola’s, has been set up by extended family member, June Smillie, who is Team Leader of the Practice Mental Health Nurse Service in West Lothian.
Backed by a team of experienced volunteers and health workers, June aims to offer a safe, comfortable space for women in West Lothian who may be struggling, feeling a bit lost, or needing some support.
Elaine is part of the committee and Nicola’s teenage daughter will be helping as a volunteer.
News of the launch of the women’s support group was posted on Facebook and Instagram and garnered over 150,000 views in the space of a week.
June said: “Nicola was just a beautiful person and the response has been unbelievable.
“I’ve been a nurse for 37 years and I think there are too many structured talking groups that people are terrified to go to.
“We have 18 volunteers so far, and we’re all from backgrounds in health, social care, and education – we have a wealth of experience.
“We’ll be offering support and signposting women as well as promoting free services.
“It’s not just about mental health, it’s about physical health too. Nicola had a physical condition that impacted on her mental health. A lot of people don’t understand that you can’t really separate the two.
“There are people who may have had a major operation, there are others who may have been diagnosed with cancer.
“It’s all about helping all those women who don’t know where to turn.
“You can go to your GP surgery but unfortunately you often don’t get enough time there. And with everything the NHS provides you need to meet a criteria.
“We don’t have any criteria, so you can come into us and have a cup of coffee. We are open to any woman that wants to walk through the door.
“The aim is to keep Nicola’s memory alive, and this just sits nicely. I thought about calling it Nicola’s Hub or Nicola’s Group, then thought why not just call it Nicola’s – as if you’re going down to visit your pal.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, Executive Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “Our deepest condolences are with the family involved. Unfortunately, we are unable to discuss individual patients without consent of the family.”
Open on two Saturday mornings each month, Nicola’s will be a place where women can drop in for a cuppa and a chat. A venue is yet to be confirmed.
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