Family thank Staffordshire Children’s Hospital for their ‘outstanding’ care

A family have thanked Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke for the outstanding care their late foster daughter received whilst under the care of multiple teams across the hospital.

Naomi Rushton was under the care of the Children’s Hospital for over 10 years with complex issues and now the hospital has been recognised with a Trust award after being nominated by Naomi’s Foster Parent’s, Lynn and Trevor Hill.

Lynn said: “The first class service the team provided for us recently when our beautiful foster child sadly passed away was nothing less than outstanding. It was a seamless, outstanding service that was faultless. The care and compassion shown to us and Naomi by all staff was amazing.

“We cannot thank them enough for the outstanding service provided for us and Naomi. The team  were there all the time for us and there was always ‘a plan’. Our views and concerns were always acknowledged. All treatment and decisions made for Naomi regarding her care was timed impeccably.”

Naomi received care through the end of life and palliative care service which helps families during vulnerable times. Staffordshire Children’s Hospital, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT), Douglas Macmillan Hospice and Acorns worked collaboratively with the Local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to identify what service was needed to support children and their families.

Lyn added: “This service helped tremendously preventing Naomi having to go into hospital for the last few days/weeks of her life. The transition from home to Donna Louise went without a hitch and was within a couple of hours which was unbelievable.”

Dr Sarah Thompson, Consultant Paediatrician with Oncology and Palliative Care at UHNM said: “We are delighted to be recognised with a hero award and to read about how Lynn and Trevor feel about the care Naomi received.  Having known Naomi, Lynn and Trevor for a long time it has been our pleasure to care for them all through the good times and the trickier times. They took it all in their stride and ensured that Naomi had as good a quality of life as possible.  It has been a great privilege caring for them as a family and we will always be there for them.”

Helen Ashley, Deputy Chief Executive at UHNM, said: “I am delighted to present the Trust hero award to Staffordshire Children’s Hospital in recognition for their outstanding care. It was lovely to meet Lynn and hear the wonderful things she had to say about the care that was provided to Naomi.”