"Professionalism, empathy and kindness"

 Hello , I feel compelled to write about my wife’s experiences linked with having this major operation.

From the beginning my wife naturally was full of anxiety and fear about the operation ( everyone knows that there is a certain amount of sawing and hammering involved!!)

We were kindly offered to attend a Hip Clinic shortly before the operation and were put at ease by the professionalism of the Occupational Therapists (Simon in particular) and the information provided by other staff. 

Very quickly,equipment to help after the operation arrived giving us confidence for the path ahead.

Come the day, we were warmly welcomed to St Joseph’s Ward in St Michael’s Hospital,Hayle,Cornwall.

The set up for her recovery couldn’t have been better: the ward was modern,spotlessly clean and staffed with a rota of incredibly kind and friendly nurses,doctors,OT therapists and cooks,all working on the same page helping my wife with her recovery.

Unfortunately, the hip replacement became secondary to complications that involved a sleeping bowel and resulting in frequent vomiting and bloated stomach. 

Over the seven days she spent in recovery we witnessed the expertise of four different doctors and the anaesthetist, four different teams of nurses and carers and the resourcefulness of a key doctor,Nikil, who created a piece of equipment to drain her stomach through the nose into a bag!

Meanwhile,every day she was monitored regularly and care taken not to rush for a result. Drips of various types were provided the kindness of the staff was exemplary !

The OT staff coached her with walking and standing and were very engaging and empathetic,giving confidence where apprehension could have stepped in!

Finally, in observing the running of this ward over many days,I could only admire the work of everyone as they pulled together as a team and seemlessly continuing from shift to shift…..nurses,doctors,kitchen staff,cleaners,….all deserve credit.

It takes a special kind of dedication to be a carer for others …..it is not a job it’s a vocation that requires professionalism,empathy , and above all ,Kindness !! 

Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to all at St Joseph’s Ward.