Patients at home for Christmas give thanks to NUH Staff | Latest news

• Success stories in the NUH "No place like home" initiative
• Patients give thanks to the staff who helped them get home for Christmas
• Research shows that recovery at home can have a positive impact on patients

 

Patients across Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) have expressed their gratitude and thanks to staff for getting them home for Christmas.

Sonia Meakin, a 56-year-old grandmother who suffered catastrophic injuries and the loss of her husband, Mark, following a car accident has expressed how grateful she is to be home for Christmas. Sitting at home next to her Christmas tree, Sonia said: “I can’t tell you how amazing and lucky I feel, thanks to help from the doctors, physios and OT’s [occupational therapists] at Linden Lodge, that I am able to be home in time for Christmas.

“Thank you just doesn’t seem enough. I’m lucky enough to work for the NHS and we do thankless tasks every day. If I was to thank every one of the staff who have helped me, I would be here all day.

“God bless you all and I hope you all have the best, happiest Christmas ever.”

Staff across the Trust have been working hard throughout December to get patients home in time for Christmas, with research showing that recovery at home can have a positive impact on patients.

Alison Clarke, a 55-year-old nanny from Nottingham, has described her “relief” when told she would be home for Christmas. Alison was in hospital after experiencing complications related to the flu, but now she is back home hoping for a “relaxing Christmas and to get well again.”

Alison said: “I’d love to thank all the staff and everybody that has been helping on all the wards I have been on and wish them a Merry Christmas.”

Teresa Garrigan who had open heart surgery was discharged safely just over a week after her surgery, she said: “I couldn’t have had better care on here or the other ward, the whole team were brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”

The parents of Oscar Ottewell, a 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, have spoken about their joy at being reunited with their other children at Christmas. Oscar, who has been in and out of hospital since birth, has returned home after a bowel operation to be with his brother and sister in Lincoln.

Oscar’s mum and dad, Ashley and Emmie Ottewell, said: “When Oscar was born, he wasn’t expected to survive. But we are still here, and we are just really appreciative.

“Whenever we have been in the staff are absolutely fantastic. They go above and beyond day in, day out.

“We just want to wish all the staff on D34 ward at QMC a very merry Christmas and thank you for all the support you have given us over the years.”

Getting people home for Christmas when clinically safe to do so is rewarding for staff to see while working over the Christmas period. Ward Manager, Ceri McCrum, who has been looking after children like Oscar and their families on Ward D34 at Nottingham Children’s Hospital said: “It makes me really happy and really proud that Oscar will be home for Christmas, the fact that we can tell them that they are going home is just brilliant.”

These patient journeys are powerful representations as to why the ‘No Place Like Home’ initiative led by NUH is so important. The campaign advocates for early and supported discharge when clinically safe and appropriate, helping patients recover within familiar surroundings as opposed to staying in hospital longer than necessary.