Star of BBC2 documentary 'Hospital' goes home for the first time
One of the young stars of the BBC2 documentary ‘Hospital’ will leave Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust today (Monday 4 June) for the first time.
Spencer whose story was told in Episode Five of the documentary filmed at NUH earlier this year, is going home with his family after spending all of this young life in Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
Viewers first met Spencer in April when he was four-months old. He was born with under-developed lungs and needs help with his breathing. The documentary showed the wait for Spencer and his family whilst the right accommodation was found for them so that they could leave hospital and be together as a family.
Nikki Hatton, Staff Nurse on E41 has been taking care of Spencer, she said: “It’s a highlight of the job to see long-term patients going home. It’s been a joy to look after Spencer and to get to know his family. The whole nursing team wishes them the best of luck and we hope that Spencer continues to do well.”
Spencer requires a ventilator to help him breath and will need 24-hour professional care and access to specialist equipment. This has meant his discharge was delayed until his family could find suitable housing to bring him home.
The team at Nottingham Children’s Hospital worked closely with the family and their local council in Lincolnshire to find Spencer and his family a home that will meet his complex needs.
Spencer’s Consultant David Thomas said: “we are delighted that Spencer will be going home to stay with his family. He has made great progress all round and the whole team are looking forward to hearing about this life at home.”
Spencer’s family are thrilled to be able to bring him home, Mum, Emma Coomb said: “We’ve been waiting nine months to get him home and now we feel complete, really. We are so happy to be all together as a family of four.”