"Tippethill staff a jewel in the NHS crown"

My mother lived in sheltered accommodation when she suffered from a severe stroke over two years ago. She was admitted to St John’s Hospital for initial care after which we were recommended a move to the Tippethill House hospital by one of the doctors at St John’s.

We visited the hospital and were impressed by it, we were told to expect a wait of several weeks before my mother could be moved as there were no beds available.

I was therefore a little surprised when I received a call to say my mother was being moved much sooner than we had expected and was also a little apprehensive imagining my mother would be anxious with the move. On arrival at Tippethill House I was delighted to see my mother was absolutely fine, at ease and comfortable.

The stroke had left my mother doubly incontinent and bedridden. The care she received at Tippethill was amazing, my Mum really loved it there and was there for two years and two months.

The carers, the nursing staff, the caterers – all of them were wonderful. They created such a lovely atmosphere it was like going home each time I visited my mother. I usually went three times a week, sometimes her speech was better than other times so we could have a fuller chat. If there was a time when I could not go I would phone the hospital to let them know – staff there would always give me an update on my Mum, what sort of day she had had so I always felt well informed.

A few weeks before my Mum passed away a carer let me know that my Mother did not seem to be her usual self, she had not eaten as well as she generally did – they really knew her so well, knew what she liked and did not like and were able to tell something was not right. In her final days the staff were all there to support us – it felt like family. So much so that three nurses even came to the funeral.

Someone used the term ‘a jewel in the crown’ – that’s what Tippethill is, a jewel in the NHS crown. All the people who work there do so because they care and have compassion. To them it is not a job, it is much more than that. It was always a pleasure chatting to the maintenance guys who looked after the grounds, to the kitchen staff and carers, the League of Friends who volunteer and entertain the patients - the whole place is a miracle.