"Outstanding compassionate care"

My 82 year old father was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department with acute abdominal pain which was diagnosed as perforated bowel. I was helpfully updated by the consultant on my hasty journey across the country from Lincoln. With a very guarded prognosis, and rapid deterioration, the A&E team, surgeon, anaesthetist and ICU Dr respected him as an individual as we conveyed the greater-than-average aspirations of this octogenarian.

He was transferred the intensive care unit following surgery and sadly died on his 9th day. During the time in ICU we were updated every day by the wonderfully kind Comms team. The ICU nursing staff went the extra mile to ensure they got to know about my father, playing his favourite jazz music and YouTube music of his granddaughter singing. They facilitated video calls (due to COVID restrictions) and anticipated our needs for kindness and information as much as they applied their shills to his care. They anticipated our spiritual needs and arranged for their wonderful chaplain to visit.

Sadly, the complications of his illness were too great to overcome and my father died with me and my mother in attendance on the evening of 4th May. We were supported by the chaplain and his wonderful nurses during the most difficult goodbye.

I am a healthcare professional, so accustomed to being on the other side of the care and conversations. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail was under my professional scrutiny, and it did not disappoint.

Our whole family are so grateful to everyone involved in his pathway from the front door of A&E, to his final breaths on ICU.