"Mother's last days"

Our Mother, 96 years old, was admitted to Mid-Staffs hospital. She was operated on as an emergency for what turned out to be a gallstone in her intestine last year. She spent the subsequent 4 weeks or so struggling – unsuccessfully - to recover from the effects of her operation, and died late last year.

During that time she was surrounded by a caring, professional, and dedicated team of people all working on a range of different levels, from cleaning to consulting.

We, her three children, would like to put on record our appreciation and thanks for everything done by the team caring for Mother. It was particularly moving to see and feel that almost everyone saw Mother as a real person with a real identity, someone whom they felt personally involved with.

By way of example - your nurse who phoned with the news of her actual death, did so in a most sympathetic, understanding and exemplary way.

Please thank the staff concerned on our behalf – tell them “give yourselves a pat on the back and help yourself to the hazelnut whirl next time a box of chocolates comes round”.