Family thank Ward 226 for "shining example"

A family have thanked staff on ward 226 for being “a shining example of nursing care”. Ruth Brooks’ step mother Barbara was cared for on the ward following a prosthetic knee infection. Sadly Barbara eventually lost her battle for life, but thanks to the dedication of staff she passed away peacefully with family at her side.

Ruth said: “My dad was allowed to visit for an hour each day and he and Barbara both developed a good rapport with all the staff and he felt safe leaving her. The looked after him well too, keeping him fed and watered and up to date with treatment plans and progress. The infection worsened, aggravated and added to Barbara’s many co-morbidities. Every abnormal blood test and result was acted on swiftly but she then contracted Covid and my dad was unable to visit. Nevertheless, he was kept up to date with Barbara’s condition.

“Barbara had a liking for Lucozade and I know many staff went to the trouble of purchasing these drinks for her out of their own pocket from WHSmiths and refused to accept renumeration. I did eventually manage to deliver a Lucozade supply and some goodies to the ward to try and tempt Barbara to eat and I know staff did try to get her to eat them.

“Telephone calls to the ward were reassuring as no matter which staff member was involved with her care, they were always found and they happily gave an update on her condition and spoke as if they really did know her. They were also honest and never did we feel fobbed off with platitudes. Then her battle with life became too much and she deteriorated significantly. We, as a family (me, my dad and my sister) were then allowed to stay with her until she passed away, peacefully and with the dignity she deserved.

“The staff looked after us and looked out for us without being intrusive. A bed was even provided for us to take turns to rest. Many boundaries were overcome and Barbara was always treated with professionalism, kindness, empathy. The staff on this ward are a shining example of nursing care and we as a family are so appreciative of each and every one of them and thankful for their approach to active interventions and end of life care. They were, simply put, wonderful.”

Staff have been given the Team of the Month award in recognition of their care and compassion.

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications, said: “The family wrote so beautifully about how they could speak to anyone, how the staff all knew Barbara and how it made them feel so much better about a terrible situation. Families sometimes feel staff won’t know their relatives, but this team did and they've done an amazing job.”