Congratulations to Chris and Gillian Ellison

A 70-year-old patient has fulfilled his wish of marrying his partner, thanks to the Coronary Care Unit at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Chris Ellison, from Oswestry, who is receiving end of life care, married his partner; Gillian Richardson on the unit after the team transformed a side room at short notice, decorating it with fairy lights, banners and a buffet.    

The couple who have been together for four-and-a-half years planned to marry at the end of September, but decided to bring the wedding forward to celebrate with their family after finding out Chris’s prognosis.

Chris’s Daughter, Caroline, said: “My dad and his partner did have plans to get married at the end of September but it was their wish to bring the wedding forward. Within a few hours the ward had arranged everything from food, to all of the legal paperwork, nothing was too much trouble.

“The staff on the ward made the room look amazing and went above and beyond to make it such a special day. It made a really difficult day, a really special day.”

Marie Pegg, UHNM Coronary Care Ward Manager, said: “The Coronary Care Team were honoured to be involved in making Chris and Gillian's day as special as it possibly could have been under these difficult circumstances. As a team we always try to deliver the most compassionate care possible, but the team on duty on that day, led by Senior Staff Nurse Frankie Carter deserve extra credit.”