"The angels of Ward 28"

I was admitted to Ward 28 the end of March for a surgical procedure/overnight stay.  From the reassurance of the gentleman who escorted me to the ward, to the sense of humour shown by the one who gave me biscuits for my coffee that evening,  I was overwhelmed not only by the effectiveness and efficiency of every staff member I met but also by their genuine concern and caring manner.  While I (thankfully!) couldn't observe the skill and expertise of the surgical team, I am more grateful for it than I can say and am sure that, as the healing process continues, so my admiration for them will grow.

As for the nursing team on Ward 28, I really don't know if I can find the words to do  them justice.  There were other women in the ward during my stay, two of whom also stayed overnight.  One often needed assistance with walking to the toilet, due to issues with balance, and this was always provided promptly and cheerfully.  When she experienced chest pains in the evening this was not only promptly dealt with from a clinical point of view (two heart tracings and blood tests) but the team involved in doing so took the time to explain the results and to offer caring reassurance that they'd found no sign of any heart trouble (a natural concern on her part).

The other lady occasionally felt confused on waking up and, again, the time was always taken to reassure and comfort her.  When it happened during the night she was not only provided with the cup of tea she asked for, but the nurse who brought it came back when she'd finished it stayed to soothe her back to sleep.  For most of the time this lady was very alert and showed this by an almost continuous stream of questions, comments and requests for every passing staff member - even while they were attending to another patient (and had closed the curtains!).  I'm ashamed to admit that I eventually found this quite wearing, which made the total absence of impatience on behalf of those staff members all the more impressive.   Every one of them, without exception, and regardless of what else they were dealing with, answered her questions, responded to her comments, and - as far as it was possible - complied with her requests. And on every occasion they did so with genuine warmth, concern and, where appropriate, humour.

In spite of any discomfort or restlessness on my part I never failed to be astounded by their conduct which surpassed professionalism by adding the all-important personal touch: always caring concern and never coldly clinical. At one point I overheard a comment from a nurse who was accompanying a lady being transferred from another ward that she was 'used to doing things that way' (i.e. not the way the nurse from Ward 28 was doing it). The quiet and polite reply was that this was a 'strict ward' and, if that is the feeling of the staff, then I commend their manager for instilling it.  There is an air about the ward which suggests that high standards are expected - and are being delivered - but not through intimidation or overbearing.  The air of calm effectiveness and smooth efficiency which permeates the ward is no doubt hard-won, but the cheerful compassion and genuinely caring manner shown by staff members, individually and as a team, suggests that they not only know what is expected of them, but  also know they deliver it - and more.  'Professional' often suggests impersonal, but that could not be further from the case here, where it is delivered with real warmth and wit.

As impressive as this would be under any circumstances, the fact that it is still true after some 15 months of struggling through a pandemic is truly remarkable. So I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation for everything done by Irina, Michelle and Vanessa on the day shift, and by Elizabeth, Grant and James during the night (and by the many others whose vital attendance at the ward wasn't unnoticed, even if their names were!).  They may play different roles in the ward, and have reached different levels of responsibility or qualification, but each of them plays an equally vital role in creating a welcoming atmosphere and in maintaining the caring environment which go so far towards relieving the stress and anxiety of both a surgical procedure and a hospital stay.  You might not feel 'angelic' but you really are 'angels' to those under your care. THANK YOU!!!