"Christmas in A&E"

My husband was admitted to A&E on Christmas Day night after breaking his hip and leg; he was suffering from bone cancer and in terrible pain.

There were so many people waiting to be seen my heart sank. But he was treated with dignity and his pain control was addressed. We could see how hard all the staff were working and there was no panic, just straightforward organised business as usual.

The consultant who saw him listened to what my husband said, called him Mr Holloway, not the over familiar first name so many doctors use, and we decided together on his treatment.

Eventually he was admitted to a ward, given an operation on Boxing Day and superbly looked after by the nurses on his ward. Everyone working on the ward was in good spirits, the cleaners, catering staff, consultants - and it does help the patients and their relatives to have a good atmosphere.

After a week my husband was too ill to be moved to a hospice, so the staff found a side ward and put up a bed for me so I could stay with him. The new SWANS initiative is fantastic, informing everyone that someone is dying, and we were both so well cared for.

Marks pain control was dealt with by the palliative nurses who listened to us both and made sure he was not in pain, the nurses were so caring, always popping in to check on him and asking me if I wanted anything (a cup of tea, someone to sit with him while I had something to eat, a hug!). I couldn't fault any of the care we had, and when he died I was able to stay with him, peacefully for several hours.

Thank you to everyone at the QMC who took care of us both, and made my husbands death easier to bear. We are both so grateful for your caring expertise.