No place like home - nine-year-old Oscar returns home for Christmas. | Latest news

• Oscar, a nine-year-old with cerebral palsy, was safely discharged from QMC after bowel surgery and is home in time for Christmas with his family.

• His discharge highlights the positive impact of NUH’s ‘No Place Like Home’ initiative, which supports early, safe recovery at home when clinically appropriate.

• Oscar’s resilience along with the dedication of staff on D34 brought huge relief to his parents, who are deeply grateful to the team for enabling the family to be together for Christmas.

  ---

Oscar Ottewell, a resilient nine-year old boy from Lincoln with cerebral palsy ,  has been safely discharged from Queens Medical Centre (QMC) following bowel surgery, and is now home in time for Christmas, reunited with his siblings and wider family.    

For Oscar’s mum and dad, Emmie and Ashley Ottewell, being told their son was being discharged in time for Christmas has been a huge relief  

Ashley said: “We're really looking forward to getting Oscar back home, he is so social, he loves being around people and obviously at Christmas time, it's being around family, its being around friends and going out and about”  

Throughout his life, Oscar has been in and out of hospitals due to living with cerebral palsy, brain damage, abdominal difficulties and developmental issues.  However, in spite of all this Oscar’s resilience keeps his family going.   

Emmie said: “When Oscar was born in Lincoln, he wasn’t expected to survive, however we are still here and he keeps going, so we will keep going”  

“Being able to go home, so Oscar can be with his brother and sister, is really important. Being at the hospital over Christmas would have had a massive impact on them, so the fact the staff have been able to get us home in time for Christmas, we are really appreciative of them”  

Staff Nurse, Rebecca Stanfield who has been looking after Oscar and his family on D34 said “It makes me really happy and really proud that he will be home for Christmas, the fact that we can tell them that they are going home, it is just brilliant”  

Oscar’s discharge is more than a homecoming. It is a powerful example of the impact and importance of the ‘No Place Like Home’ initiative led by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). The campaign champions early and supported discharge when clinically appropriate, helping patients recover in the comfort of their own homes rather than staying in hospital longer than necessary.   

Staying at home in surroundings that are familiar, relaxing and secure can significantly improve physical recovery, mental wellbeing, sleep quality and overall quality of life.   

By discharging Oscar home in time for Christmas, staff have supported the family’s wish to be reunited and enjoy all the festivities and helped create vital bed space at QMC so that more patients who require acute care can be seen.   

Oscar’s parents, Ashley and Emmie said: “We would like to wish all the staff at QMC, especially the staff on D34 a very Merry Christmas.  

“Thank you for all the support you have given us over the years. It must be difficult working on Christmas Day away from their families but helping us be around our family on Christmas, thank you very much”