Richard D Jones of Kingsthorn, Hereford, says nothing too much trouble at hospital (From Hereford Times)

Richard D Jones of Kingsthorn, Hereford, says nothing too much trouble at hospital

7:00am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Letters

ON JANUARY 4 my dear sisterin- law Carol Charles left this world in the comfort of St Michael’s Hospice having only arrived late on January 3.

The staff there were amazing both for Carol and her family.

Her final journey began on December 29, when she was taken to Hereford County Hospital with severe breathing difficulties. From the time she entered A&E the lamp of Florence Nightingale shone.

She was moved to the admissions ward that evening and from there to Arrow ward. The flow of care began in earnest on Arrow, where nothing was too much trouble.

On one occasion I was sitting with Carol and she had just drifted off to sleep when a nurse came in to give Carol her medication but noting that she was asleep she said she would come back later.

When I read so often about the failings in the NHS you only need to look at the staff of Arrow ward and be very appreciative of the care and compassion that is the NHS.

Each and every one of you in our eyes is a Florence Nightingale.

Carol had fought cancer for 10 years and in that time met many people in the NHS – both front line nurses and doctors and support staff such as medical secretaries, receptionists etc, who all make up “Team NHS”.

To all of you on Arrow ward, thank you for making the last days of Carol’s life easier to bear and to all of you that work within the NHS, thank you.

Carol was only 44 when she died but the loss was made a little easier because of the River of Angels on Arrow ward. Thank you.

RICHARD D JONES, Kingsthorn, Hereford.