A special moment tonight in A&E

Just thought that I would share with you all an amazing thing that happened tonight.

While waiting for my Mum to be seen in A&E at 5pm, rush hour for the department, an elderly lady was brought in by some paramedics, the lady was very distressed and disoriented. The female paramedic who was shaven haired and tattooed (yes I prejudged her), pulled out her phone and started to play a Frank Sinatra track. Immediately the lady became calm and settled down eventually tapping her frail little hand along with the music. I overheard the paramedic mention to her colleague that she has spied a photo of Sinatra in the lady's bedroom so knew that she had been a fan. 

I take my hat off to the paramedic for the way that she comforted the lady and made her feel at ease. I salute her for her compassion and ingenuity and I apologise for prejudging her.

We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful caring and well-trained staff to call upon when we are sick, unwell and vulnerable.

As much as we baulk at the NHS and the way that it is run, it is the boys and girls on the front line, day in and day out, through the night and at the weekends that should be cherished and honoured.

We deserve to make the NHS work not only for our sake but also for those who dedicate their lives to working for our benefit.

Don't get me wrong the clunkiness and bureaucracy drives me bonkers and have found recruiting for them quite infuriating. Cut out the crap and listen to those who work on the floor with the patients for a better, safer and stronger NHS.

On the other hand, Mum has been seen and is waiting to be transferred to Poole General, it's now 2am, her nurse Abi has been amazing and fantastic, we cannot thank her enough.