"Everyone has a superhero, we called him Papa."

My papa was admitted to Ayr ED by 999 ambulance following severe abdominal pain with a known AAA. The paramedics knew my papa personally and were phenomenal and gave my papa strong pain relief (Mark and Grant - Maybole crew).

Once into ED, my Papa was seen by ANP Amy, who should immense kindness and compassion, she was thorough and well knowledge and with his history and symptoms she requested a CT scan. When the results of the scan came back unfortunately my papa's aneurysm was leaking in 3 places and had grown dramatically. Amy referred him to the vascular team at Hairmyres and he was transferred over there. 

Unfortunately the decision was made on arrival that my papa's aneurysm was too big and he was too weak and there was nothing we could do but make him comfortable. The staff at Hairmyres ED were so kind and got my papa on a bed and a side room while he waited for a side room in the vascular ward. 

My papa went to ward 8 in Hairmyres and I would like to say a special thanks to staff nurses Lisa, Pamela and Megan, who not only nursed my papa but my family also. My papa was a great man, he was a good man with the biggest heart and he was so so loved by us all, and in his weakest they gave strength in the sadness they gave us peace and they made what was a tragic and awful experience- beautiful. My papa was given the painkillers and sedation he needed to depart this earth with grace and dignity and you cannot buy that. 

My papa passed away surrounded by his family, comforted by the amazing staff of ward 8. 

I will never be able to find the words to express how grateful I am to have an NHS that even in strange, dark and challenging times there a good people fighting the good fight. 

None of this would have been possible without the intelligent, kind and friendly eyes of Amy one of Ayr's ANP’s. 

I’m sure there are many others, nursing, domestic, dr, admin staff that I have left out. But just know our family are eternally grateful to you all.