"Respect, dignity and care for patients"

While visiting a relative in ward 7 of the RAH, I witnessed an exceptional example of care by one of the staff.

The male member of staff arrived in the room that my relative was in and went to another patient (I believe they were practicing getting in and out of the bed and chair and walking around the room with a zimmer frame).  The staff member was polite and ever so respectful, spoke to the patient with a great and in my opinion extremely high level of dignity, listening to their concerns and worries while reassuring them at the same time. The patient seemed very comfortable in his presence.

While coming into the room the staff member also took the time to acknowledge the other patients and say hello, this was a very nice thing to see, it made me feel at ease, knowing that my relative had such an attentive member of staff.

There was another patient in the room who asked for assistance when he had finished, the staff member changed his approach as the patient seemed quite upset, again this is exceptional behaviour and care from the same person. The ward and environment is so busy and stressful and this person personified calmness and integrity when speaking to the patients.

A truly heartfelt experience that I shall definitely remember and be sharing with family and friends, a credit to the team and someone whose behaviour should be applauded in such difficult times.

He introduced himself to both patients as Alistair.