A close family friend who had learning difficulties and severe dementia was admitted to Ward 24 over Christmas.
My family has know this gentleman for many years as he resided in care and supported living with my uncle and as he has no family, we have maintained contact with him.
We have been visiting him over the last week (when we were advised by the carers that he was in hospital) and have found that the care offered on Ward 24 has been exemplary. Although staff are obviously busy dealing with elderly patients with very differing needs, no one was ever too busy to come and talk to us or to respond when we raised a concern about whether or not he was in pain. One small detail which we noticed was that we brought him in a teddy bear and every day, the teddy had been moved and put right next to the side he was lying on - he may not have been aware of it, but the staff certainly were and it is a small detail that made us know he was being cared for and not just 'looked after'.
J was allowed to die with dignity and whilst we were not with him when he passed, I am sure that the staff did everything that they could to make it as calm for him as possible.
My family would like to pass on our thanks to a very dedicated team who prove that nursing is not a career, it is a vocation.
"He was being cared for and not just 'looked after'."
About: Heartlands Hospital Heartlands Hospital Birmingham B9 5SS
Posted by KAC001 (as ),
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