"The team deserve a medal"

I arrived at A&E late in the evening with shortness of breath, exhuasted and feeling so unwell with Covid. My husband had been admitted three days earlier, and was still in hospital when I arrived. It was like Piccadilly Circus in there, I felt so sorry for the staff. I was reviewed so quickly and simply reported that I felt I had nothing left in my tank. I was immediately isolated and put on oxygen, and treated with such care and tenderness. I felt so safe, even though I felt so unwell.

During that long night of tests, around 3.00am, a nurse came into my room to take my bloods for the third time. I was exhausted, empty and feeling so, so vulnerable. He began to sing so gently and quietly over me. After the first line of "Standing on the promises of God" I opened my eyes with tears tripping down my face at the tenderness and care he showed me. He noticed, and he continued to sing all four verses of the song over me. I was cared for, loved, valued, safe, and deeply, deeply touched by him. I will never forget him, I don't even know his name, but would love him to know how much he impacted me.

The next morning I was admitted to Ward 4a, and there were so many things that were amazing about the whole nursing team. I only wish I could remember all of them - the sister walked towards me to greet me by name on my arrival - saying you must be Helen, we have been waiting for you, you are really welcome to the ward. After a night of not sleeping in A&E this was so welcome.

- The lady who brought me my meals every day was simply a legend. She lifted my spirits and brought humour into a scary place. She made me laugh when I couldn't have any visitors to help me laugh.

- The guys who cleaned my room and delivered my coffee all had time for a quick chat - made me feel human, and brought me their company - they didn't need to, but they did.

- The physio Daniel and the pharmacist had so much time for me, explained everything so patiently and gave me confidence to know how to handle my new and alien diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism.

- The various nursing team, Lauren, Alex, Gillian and the student nurses and others whose names I cant remember, did the giant dot to dot for me every day, piecing together all the information from consultants, nursing team, physio, and pharmacist, patiently answering my 101 questions about all the symptoms and diagnoses I was receiving, helping me close the loops and understand what was going on.

- A special mention to Casper, my night shift nurse, he was so gentle, and so respectful particularly during my chest pains which turned out to be a panic attack in the middle of the night. He was so caring, he had time for every question, and always came back with an answer for me.

- The three consultants who patiently listened and responded to my every question, my requests for more information and even my anxieties about the vaccines going forward.

The entire team deserve a medal.