"all she wants is a cup of tea!"

We are currently sitting on Holly ward with a family member and we were moved to a side room yesterday afternoon and told the next 24 hours are critical and to expect the worse. We have had a bedside vigil looking after our 86 year old relative and her 89 year old husband who has not left her side since yesterday morning.

The tea trolley came around and she was fast asleep, approx 20 minutes later she awoke and wanted a cup of tea, so I asked if I could make one considering there is a kitchen and all the stuff down the corridor, they said wait for breakfast which starts around 8, again at 740 our family member asked for tea and as she awake and wanting it I went to the kitchen and said can I just make a cup of tea or get one for our family member to be told again they will be around a bit later, I said I know but she awake now and I thought if a seriously ill patient wants a cup of tea I could just get her one but no and there no machines with hot drinks working anywhere around the hospital that we can locate.

Her husband had not been offered one either which is the first time I have been to a hospital when you are sitting a vigil that it hasn't been offered, we the young ones are ok we can go elsewhere but her husband doesn't want to leave her side, we have been provided with a room the other side of the hospital which I must say is great so I am having to make a mug of tea and walk through the hospital with hot tea right from one side to the other which I thought be health and safety to ensure he gets a warm drink, I just think in this awful time a little more care and compassion would be well received.