Anne O’Regan with Julia and Trevor Lewis
A couple from Cardiff has experienced the ‘honeymoon’ treatment during a recent admission to University Hospital Llandough (UHL).
Julia and Trevor Lewis from Cardiff spent six weeks in hospital after Julia became unwell and needed to undergo a blood transfusion. At first Julia refused admission to hospital as she was worried and concerned about leaving her husband Trevor at home without her, but hospital staff made arrangements for the couple to be moved to the ‘honeymoon suite’ where they could rest and recuperate together.
The couple and their Age Connect Volunteer Anne O’Regan have praised the excellent care and support they have received from staff at East 8 ward at UHL.
Anne who has known Julia and Trevor for the last six months said she became very concerned about Julia after a return from holiday. Anne explained: “I was going on holiday and was concerned because Julia was due to have a procedure done but she was very worried about Trevor being on his own. I arranged for other Age Connect volunteers to visit Trevor during that time and went on holiday.
“When I came back I visited them both and was increasingly concerned about Julia as she had become very unwell so I contacted her GP, who said that Julia was anaemic and required a blood transfusion. Julia was still very anxious about leaving Trevor and about what would happen to him and unfortunately refused hospital admission.
“The next day I was more concerned as Julia’s health had deteriorated so I called Out of Hours who came out and told us that she desperately needed a blood transfusion. Julia eventually agreed to be admitted into hospital but her anxiety over what would happen to Trevor was still there. I took Julia into Llandough Hospital and explained the situation regarding Trevor to them.”
Trevor experiences a number of health problems himself with difficulty walking due to pain in his knees and dementia. Hearing their story, the hospital admitted Trevor as a social admission so he would still receive a level of care while Julia underwent her vital procedure but he and Julia ended up on different wards. Both improved in their health and Julia was sent to a discharge ward where she unfortunately became ill again so she was transferred onto East 8 so they could monitor her condition.
Staff on the ward quickly realised that Julia wasn’t improving as well as they had hoped due to her anxiety over Trevor so arrangements were made to bring Trevor to East 8 ward every day so they could have all their meals together. The Ward Manager noticed that their anxiety increased when they were apart so they were waiting for a male bed to become available on East 8 to move Trevor closer to Julia. This is when they were both moved to the ‘honeymoon suite’, a private room with two beds where they could recuperate with each other.
Anne continued: “From my point of view to see them together and to see the efforts the staff have made to reassure them both as well as the care they have received has been exceptional. I couldn’t wish for them to be in a better place. The honeymoon suite is absolutely wonderful to keep them both together as they stressed so much when they were apart.
“What the hospital is also doing is promoting their independence and planning now for their discharge and return home. We had a home visit last week and they are putting things in place like meals and daily help for Trevor but we have to make sure that Julia doesn’t refuse any help this time because Julia is Mrs Independent and she does realise now that she needs that help.”
Julia also praised the care she received at UHL as exceptional saying; “Staff have been absolutely brilliant and have gone over and above. The staff are like family now and it’s like being in a lovely home with a big family, that’s how I feel, like I’m with all my brothers and sisters. Everyone has been so kind and caring and we have been very fortunate and privileged that we have been brought here. I will miss the people when I go home. The ones that are looking after us are brilliant.”
Trevor added; “To be here with Julia is wonderful because I can see what they are doing for her and I am here to be close to her in case she needs me, and I also need her and care myself. I have trouble walking and I had an operation last year and I’ve got trouble with both my knees but I’m not complaining. The hospital is good. I’d like to book a holiday here. It is lovely and the staff are wonderful.
“I left my electric shaver at home and one of the staff Jenny now comes in and shaves me and helps me to have a shower. She has been wonderful and has helped me so much. The food is not too bad either. I really love it. Three cooked meals a day and you get teas and coffees too. I can’t get over it. I feel like I’m on holiday. Julia wasn’t eating before she came here and now she has put a bit of weight on because she is eating properly. It’s a pity it’s a hospital and not a holiday camp.”
Trevor and Julia now realise that help and support is available to them and things are being put in place for them to return home to help them manage and maintain their independence. Trevor is now receiving medication to help his painful knees and medication for his dementia which is already helping, so what was initially a social admission has identified the care and support needs to ensure he is getting what he needs when he returns home.
Julia added; “The hospital won’t let us go home until we are ready to be at home. And they are making sure we have our care package in place to help us at home. I am also happy that Trevor is getting the medication he needs which will help us both going forward.”
Trevor added; “If anyone has to come to this hospital and they are worried I would say forget the worry. Once they are in here they will realise how lucky they are. It’s a lovely hospital to come to. I have always looked after myself but I can’t fault the care I have had here.”
