Sir - My wife passed away on January 7th this year at the Worcester Royal Hospital.

It all started early in the morning, around 5.30 am when I rang the paramedics. Within 4 minutes a paramedic arrived, followed 3 minutes later by the ambulance. The paramedics did their usual checks etc and decided that my wife needed to be taken into hospital. She was taken downstairs using our stairlift and then walked her to the front door at which point one of the many heavy storms started.

They walked and supported her to the ambulance and once inside continued with their medical checks and ensured that she was comfortable to travel to Worcester. They left around 6.00 am, telling myself and my daughter not to rush as there would be a lot to sort when they arrived at the hospital.

My daughter and myself left Malvern around 7.40 am, arriving at the hospital at 9.30 am due to the heavy volume of traffic and the first of the bad storms and flooding. When we arrived at the hospital we were taken to the Rhesus unit. It was very busy in there – four beds will very ill patients in them. The staff (doctors and nurses) were very busy, working flat out attending to all four patients but having time and consideration for us as well.

My wife’s dedicated nurse was Leanne Poole, who constantly cared, monitored and provided treatment along with the doctors. At 11.00 am I went to sit on a seat in the passage but a couple of minutes later, Dr. Young came out with my daughter and took us to the relatives room to explain about my wife’s ongoing treatment and how ill she was.

A minute or so later he left a nurse with us whilst he returned to my wife to only return to inform us of the devastating news that my wife had passed away. Both he and the nurse provided support and comfort to us. Shortly afterwards another nurse, Leanne Pool my wife’s dedicated nurse came into the room to offer her condolences and support. She had stayed and treated my wife until her unfortunate passing.

Leanne arranged for refreshments, was available when other family members arrived to offer support and comfort. Leanne also gave us guidance and help of what our next steps should be. All staff at all times were discrete, caring and supportive and conscious of our needs and grief.

My plea, therefore, is not to run the NHS down. From our experience and what we saw during our morning at the hospital, was the brilliance and professionalism of all the staff (nursing, doctors, paramedics, receptionists etc). They are worth every penny they earn and deserve all the praise they can get. On behalf of myself and my family, I offer my sincere heartfelt thanks for all their did for my wife Valerie, myself and my family.

M G Fish

Malvern