"Outstanding patient care"

I have to share this story because it’s one that’ll never leave me, since having my son we have been in and out of hospital, he has had many procedures which have left him traumatised. My little boy went into Ward 1A for routine tonsillectomy, from the get go 1A took into account all of my son's additional support needs and the staff went above and beyond not only for my son but for me. 

Sometimes being the parent caring for a child with SEN needs means we are just as terrified as the children but the staff ensured all our needs were met. 

After his operation my son woke and appeared to be doing well, Doctors came round and reviewed him and said we were fit for discharge as he was eating and drinking what was his norm. I explained that I really felt that was too soon for my son and asked if possible we could stay overnight- thank god the doctor agreed as later that night around my son woke from his sleep looking for his bottle which I instantly provided, not knowing that after one sip his mouth and nose would instantly begin bleeding, and when I say bleeding I mean squirting out.

Being a nurse myself, I jumped into action and called for help- Pippa and Emma were first in and these woman will forever be in my mind - despite the terrifying ordeal where as a trio of nurses we got on with what we had to. The reason I want to thank these nurses isn’t just because they saved my son’s life, they allowed me to help my son in the only way I felt I could. They didn’t tell me to stand back or to do this or that, they ensured that I was able to move and do what I felt was right for me and my son, and I think if they hadn’t have allowed me in, my son would have became more distressed and the outcome 1000x worse. 

An FY1 also joined within seconds, students had the crash trolly, the support workers were prepping flushes, the emergency call was made and my son was taken to theatre as quick as possible.

All staff ensured that at every stage of the emergency I was fully informed and my views and opinions were listened to! 

The following day (really the same day), the senior charge nurse from the ward came to talk to me, she wanted to ensure that I was ok after the events which I reported, I was and throughout the remainder of the stay staff were extremely supportive and regularly checked in with me and my son. 

There isn’t a single thing I could fault about ward 1A, they are outstanding - from cleaners to porters to kitchen staff to nurses and doctors the - whole journey in ward 1a was outstanding. 

And to Emma and Pippa, you are both our heroes!