Community Matron, Katie Berry, says Ward 3 care was so good her once-frightened little lad said: "I think I would do that again mummy - it wasn't that bad!"
She wants a huge shout-out to the whole team - especially Play-Coordinator, Jane Thompson, and Consultant Anaesthetist, Michael Moncrieff.
Her son Jack, aged seven, needed an MRI under general anaesthetic earlier this month - and broke down as soon as he saw his room in the hospital.
And that’s when Ward 3 colleagues came in with a series of lovely child-friendly measures to calm him down. They included:
- Lego to play with
- Letting Jack sit on his Dad’s knee on a chair instead of a trolley to go to theatre
- Putting a mask on his teddy to show him what was going to happen.
- Letting Katie join him on the bed as he fell asleep after his procedure.
Katie adds: “ The sheer professionalism, expertise with the human touch from all staff on ward 3 and in the MRI unit itself was purely admirable. Every nurse, and student nurse (who removed Jack’s cannula before he ripped it out himself) was so kind, compassionate, and patient. Nothing was too much trouble, we felt safe the entire time.
Jack said the same night when we got home, "I think I would do that again mummy it wasn't that bad!"
She said both her husband and herself were trying so hard to hold it together. “Seeing your little boy so frightened was beyond heart-breaking for us. Jane was there to reassure us and Michael was just as amazing, explaining the procedure to Jack in the most child-friendly way that he blew me away. When Jane suggested I get on the bed with him that was the moment that he calmed in my arms."
She contacted Comms to share her thanks saying: “Please pass on our gratitude to Jane and Michael and please tell them to never underestimate the difference their care makes to others' lives! Jane told me she was coming up to retirement, a well-earned rest but a huge loss to CHFT! Can I also mention Jack's amazing paediatrician Dr Venkat Thiagesh. He’s the reason Jack is receiving such a high standard of care in the first place.
"With eternal thanks and gratitude to you all on behalf of Jack and my husband, Katie xx"
And thanks for sharing your story with Comms, Katie. Our pleasure to share with everyone.