"Consistently proactive, responsive, and compassionate"

At the end of March, my wife was admitted to the Resuscitation Unit with severe pneumonia, a partially collapsed lung, and a grade 4 pressure ulcer. She was critically ill. The following day, she was transferred to Culm East High Dependency Unit (HDU).

From the very beginning, the care provided was nothing short of exemplary—not only for my wife, but for me as well. During those initial weeks, when her condition was most serious, I was deeply moved by the standard of both medical and pastoral care. No request was too great, and every need was met with professionalism and compassion.

The entire ward functioned with remarkable efficiency and coordination, a testament to the leadership of Sarah, Clinical Matron. She was among the first to care for my wife and set the tone for the exceptional care we received. Far from being a distant figure, Ms. Cochran leads by example—present, approachable, and consistently kind. She is a genuinely caring individual whose dedication is clearly reflected in the performance of the entire team.

Each member of the team showed exceptional compassion and attentiveness. I live with severe anxiety and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and the past 56 days have been an incredibly traumatic and emotionally challenging time. The support I received from everyone on Culm East HDU has been instrumental in helping me cope and continue to function throughout this difficult journey.

Recovery has been long and, at times, felt like an emotional rollercoaster. However, the nursing staff and consultants have remained consistently proactive, responsive, and compassionate. They listened attentively, even when I offered my own thoughts and insights, which meant a great deal to me.

Yesterday, my wife was transferred to a community hospital—a significant and hopeful milestone. We are both profoundly grateful to Sarah, Sam, and the entire team on Culm East HDU for everything they have done. You not only saved her life, but you also helped me navigate one of the most difficult experiences of my life. For that, I am, and always will be, deeply indebted to you all.

With our love and thanks