"Superb care at Sheffield's Northern General Hospital GITU"

My sister-in-law had a massive stroke on Saturday afternoon (22 December) and was taken to the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.

I would like to publicly place on record my personal thanks to the staff of the Northern General Hospital's A & E department and more especially the GITU department.

The A&E staff were extremely helpful and kind. It was clear from the outset that the likely outcome was grim as she had suffered such a huge degree of brain damage that recovery of any sort was extremely unlikely. This initial news was delivered with tremendous tact and compassion.

Although my sister-in-law was unconscious and extremely unlikely to regain consciousness, the staff in the GITU were superb. She was given excellent care and treated with the utmost respect even though the prognosis was bleak from the outset.

We (her family) were overwhelmed with the kindness and care shown to us during her brief stay in the GITU ward.

Sadly, my sister-in-law didn't make it and yesterday, Christmas Eve, we had to make the very tough decision to terminate life-support.

All of the staff - nursing staff, doctors, consultants and support staff - continued to offer us every support and care. Nothing was too much trouble. They would explain anything that we asked about and would take as much time as we wanted, even if it was simply to chat, thereby taking our mind off things. They made the whole painful process of coming to terms with her death far easier to bear and I cannot praise them highly enough.

I really feel that words are not adequate enough to express my gratitude towards them, and I know that the rest of her family share my views. I wish that there was more that I could do to make them aware of the difference that they made. We could not have received any better care for my sister-in-law or kindness towards us if we were in a private hospital and were millionaires.

Staff such as these should be treasured.

In the modern world, it is all too easy to criticize and find fault, complaint and blame is all too easily apportioned. We are all to busy to say "thank you" and praise people where praise is due.

I will close by saying a massive thank you once again to the A&E staff and GITU staff at Sheffield's Northern General Hospital.

You are fantastic and should take comfort that these last few days you really made a difference. Thank you.