Patient’s family say ‘thank you’ for first-class NHS care

Staff based at Dorset HealthCare’s East Dorset Hub in St Leonards have been presented with thank-you gifts for the “amazing” care they provided to a patient.

Martin Lowe, who suffered with the degenerative neurological disease Multiple Systems Atrophy, was supported by the Trust’s community teams at his Colehill home for a year before his death in August.

Julie Halliwell was Martin’s nominated community matron, and linked in with various health care teams to ensure his needs and wishes were followed.

The overall care and support was so valued, Martin’s daughter Rhian Lowe and a friend cycled 100 miles to raise funds for a special ‘thank-you’ gesture, and generated £1,200.

Rhian and her mum Heather bought a new coffee machine (with coffee beans) for the hub, and donated cash to share between all Trust teams involved in Martin’s care – including speech and language therapy, wheelchair services and the community neurology team.

The money will be used for the teams to enjoy an event together.

Rhian said:

“We were very fortunate as a family to be supported by such an amazing community nursing team, who were always there when we or dad needed anything. Since his passing they have also been a shoulder to lean on. We raised the funds to thank the team, so they could have a celebration on Dad.”

Community Matron Julie Halliwell added:

“Our team was extremely sad when Martin passed away and our thoughts will always be with the family. For us, it was a privilege to have been able to provide Martin the best care possible at the end of his life, as well as be there for his family during what was a tough time for all.

“Our East Dorset Hub provides access to a network of community clinicians, social care teams and voluntary sector professionals, ensuring patients in the local community get the right support at the right time.”