A Dundee family have praised the “angels” of the NHS after nurses granted a patient’s last wish by allowing his beloved pet dog to pay him one last visit in hospital hours before he died.
Ashley Stevens shared photos and videos of the precious moment, saying the family would be “eternally grateful” to the staff who made sure Peter Robson and his best pal Shep shared one priceless final moment together.
https://www.facebook.com/ashley.stevens.995/posts/10156367807261392
Ashley said: “Absolutely amazed and touched today from NHS Ninewells Hospital. Our grandad’s last and final wish was to see his dog one more time.
“Still in shock that the wish was granted and they went above and beyond today and made a dying man very happy.
“Cheryl White charge nurse of Ward 3 you are an absolute angel and we are all eternally grateful you don’t know what this meant to our grandad.
I’ll let these moments do the talking, thank you NHS ♥️ ♥️ ♥️”
Ashley asked that her post is shared widely because “everyone needs to know what amazing nurses and staff they have in that hospital.”
Her touching videos have already been watched over 150,000 times and sparked a flood of emotional responses from viewers.
“Brought tears to my eyes”
Jackie McQuiston said: “Oh my goodness that is lovely, brought tears to my eyes ❤ truly caring from the heart.”
And Ollie Dow summed it up for so many, saying: “My god so sad but so happy at the same time AMAZING ?”
While NHS Tayside’s Infection Prevention and Control Policy generally advises against allowing animals into hospitals, it does allow for it in “exceptional circumstances …. e.g. on the request of a terminally ill patient.”
“Above and beyond”
Ward 3 senior charge nurse Fiona McCallum said: “I am so proud of Cheryl and the rest of the team for this caring and compassionate act.
“The team worked with colleagues in infection control to make this possible and I can’t thank them all enough for going above and beyond to bring some comfort to Mr Robson and his family.”
The nurses have also been praised by the chief executive of NHS Tayside, Lesley McLay.