Sir – My 92-year-old mother was recently admitted to Ward 5B of the John Radcliffe Hospital following a stroke. Five days later she died.
With so much negative press surrounding the NHS, I thought it only proper that I should write to you to give a balanced view of our experience.
I accept that there is much wrong with the NHS and much work to be done to improve the systems and organisation generally, but the nursing is without doubt extraordinary.
We all knew my mother would not recover and yet the nurses and staff tended for her, 24 hours a day, with love and genuine compassion. She was washed regularly, watched over and was made entirely comfortable during her last days. By so doing, it allowed her to pass with dignity, something that she was concerned about during her latter years.
Our personal thanks go to the nurses and staff of Ward 5B who are a shining example of all that is good in the National Health Service today.
D Chapman Hempton
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