"Fabulous Care & Attention"

My elderly Mum was recently admitted to Ward 9 with pneumonia in her left lung and Covid. She'd been having Home Hospital treatment, with oxygen. Her carers had found her on the floor with no oxygen connection and she was admitted to Ward 9.

I write this now, after Mum was discharged to a care home, she had over 14 weeks residency in Ward 9 and we are compelled to let you know how caring the staff were during that time.

From Day 1, the staff were wonderful!  Mum was extremely frail and poorly and not responding to antibiotics - so much so that she was unable to attend her son's funeral. But thanks to Head Nurse Louise, she arranged for Harry, the Hospital Chaplain, to sit with her, say a wee prayer and listen to her talk about her son.  Harry has been a constant companion to Mum and our family since, and we are indebted to him and his team, for their empathy and compassion and joy and peace they brought to Mum on every visit.

It was acknowledged by Dr Bingham that the antibiotics weren't working, and at this stage Mum was frail, poorly and end of life ..... with which my husband and I agreed.  Losing her son that had been with her all his life had certainly taken its toll also.

All treatment stopped from then ..... Mum was end of life stage, and the staff were keeping her as comfortable as possible.

These wonderful Doctors, Nurses, Auxiliaries, Chaplaincy ..... each and every one played a pivotal role in Mum's time with them, and although it's impossible to name them all, we have to mention:-

Head Nurses Louise, Joanna and Agneiszka - for their care, compassion, kindness and professionalism, and keeping Mum's dignity, on a daily basis, even when they were stretched to the limit. For Sharon, for curling her hair. For Linda, for singing and dancing for her. For Gemma making her coffees just the way she liked. For Fafi's gentle hugs and comfort. For Annie, head nurse, for her hugs and music and big smiles.

For each and every one of the staff - the music they played her, for coming in to wave and smile, to give her a gentle hug, to reassure her when she was frightened ..... a massive thank you to you all - I saw how busy and professional you all were, so please know that your kindness was greatly appreciated, especially by Mum and we hope you were the recipient of one of her fabulous smiles.

And so Mum is now in a local care home, still end of life, missing all the business of Ward 9, Room 3, but I'm sure after a few days, she'll settle in and be comfortable on her last journey in life.

Thanks to Lee-Anne in Social Work as well for her assistance in all matters, and special mention to Dr Bingham, who always looked in on Mum with her special bedside manner.

We are truly indebted to you all and pass on our heartfelt thanks.