"I hope you too, remember experiences like mine"

Too often the media appear to focus on the negatvity of the NHS due to underfunding and lack of staff resources. The stories of NHS staff who, daily, carry on despite these conditions, are scarce therefore I need to share my story about my Partner's care in Ward 106/7 of the RIE.

On admission, because of media reports of the state of the NHS, I thought he's 77, has a diagnosis of Alzheimer's they will have no option but to prioritise. How wrong I was.  From the moment he was admitted, as an emergency, his care was outstanding. As initial treatment was not effective, there was no choice but to undergo emergency laparoscopic surgery. The skills of the surgeon and the theatre team enabled him to return to the ward rather than the expected High Dependency Unit.

Despite positive signs that he was making a recovery from his operation, he suffered the complication of aspiration pneumonia which is sadly often fatal in the elderly. Every single one of the team, in every role, in Ward 106/7 treated him with care and compassion during his 3 week stay doing absolutely everything possible to save his life and provide all that he needed. When it became apparent that he was not going to survive, they wrapped themselves round both of us, treating us like family. I felt held and supported throughout his end of life care while I faced the inevitable loss of my much loved lifetime Partner.

I will never forget this and the memory of their care, compassion and kindness during this extremely distressing time will remain with me forever. I can never thank them enough. I hope you too, remember experiences like mine when you hear the often reported negativity of the NHS that their dedicated staff, despite this, carry on, without complaint, to give the excellent standard of care expected of them.