"Great empathy "

Dear Katie,

Thank you for taking the time to leave us such kind feedback about the care and support provided to your sister and to you and your family, particularly given what an incredibly sad and difficult time this must be for you all. We really appreciate this, and would like to start by offering our sincere condolences to you and your family at this time.

The Trust works hard to provide all patients with a high standard of care, and so we are very pleased to read that you feel this was the experience your sister had. Whilst patient care and treatment is at the heart of everything we do, we also strive to underpin that principle with the values of kindness, compassion, dignity and respect, and to ensure relatives feel appropriately involved and supported. It is therefore reassuring for us to learn you felt your sister was given dignity, and you and her family were supported and respected by staff at a time of immeasurable sadness.

In the NHS we often focus on, and are proud of, our achievements in helping patients to get better and to recover from illnesses and injuries, surgical procedures, and emergency health situations, whilst helping to deliver babies who will grow up to become our future generation, but it is also right and just that we ensure patients nearing the end of life continue to receive the care and treatment they need and that we support them and their relatives at the end. The simple touches of everyday humanity and kindness mean a great deal to relatives when their loved one has died, and can be an understated source of comfort. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you Katie, and with your family.

We will also ensure your lovely words are shared with senior staff as they will want to read how much you have valued and appreciated the care and kindness provided. Thank you again for taking the time to share them.