High praise for Chorley nurses who hosted touching birthday celebration for 95-year-old Covd-19 patient

Karen Crompton, of Euxton, says she was sad to hear that her aunt would be unable to return to her care home for her 95th birthday on Friday, May 22 after being treated for coronavirus at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital. Dora Sloan was due to return to Penwortham Grange & Lodge Care Home last Thursday but staff said it was too early.

That is when kind-hearted sister (nurse) ​Zoe Greenall, nurse Elise Critchley and ward manager Rachel Aspin, who all work on the hospital's Brindle Ward, stepped in to put a smile back on Dora's face by treating her to a fabulous celebration, including a large cake, decorations and a happy birthday singsong via FaceTime with her niece.

Karen said: "Dora was absolutely amazed and surprised. Her face was the look of pure joy and shock. She just looked thrilled."

Dora first fell ill around Easter and was hospitalised for a week due to coughing and a high temperature, followed by sepsis. Doctors at first thought she had a chest infection, after she tested negative for Covid-19.

But as soon as her course of antibiotics finished, she fell poorly again and on Thursday, May 14 she was put on the Brindle Ward, which is normally used for gastroenterology but is now solely dedicated to treating Covid-19. The staff there have spent the past six to eight weeks involving patients' relatives in celebrations to make them as special as possible, due to the fear of people dying without loved ones by their side.

"The hospital staff thought she could have gone home last Thursday but the care home wouldn't take her because she'd tested positive for coronavirus. It would have been quite sad," said Karen.

"I told Zoe that it was a shame because it was Dora's birthday on the Friday and asked if they could sing 'Happy Birthday' to her. Zoe said they could do more than that and would buy her a cake and asked if she could call me via FaceTime while singing to her.

"I was expecting it to be a little bun with a candle but when she called it was a big, beautifully decorated cake with 'nine' and 'five' candles. They'd put up banners and my aunt was wearing a huge birthday badge.

"They really went out of their way for her. It was lovely.

"Zoe then she sent me photos an hour later. I asked her what I owed her for the cake and she said under no circumstances would she accept any money as she wanted to do it.

"It was really good of them as they must be rushed off their feet. They're so caring.

"Apart from clapping on Thursday nights, we need to tell these nurses' stories because they are such stars."

Karen adds that her aunt is a fighter, having survived dangerous jobs in her youth.

Dora served in the army in World War Two in the Anti-aircraft Searchlight Battery, spotting bombers coming in.

"It was quite a dangerous job. She was coming home on leave one time and was at the train station cafe having coffee with colleagues. Just after she got up and left, a bomb hit the cafe. She's had a lot of experiences like that," said Karen.

"She was then posted to Germany and was in the troubles in Cyprus. She's been all over the world with the army and I think it's made her a strong woman."

But even with her fighting spirit, Karen says she does not know if Dora would have made it without the enthusiasm of Zoe and her colleagues.

She added: "At 95, it's not been easy for her. She's been an incredibly brave woman but she couldn't have fought it without the positivity of the Brindle Ward."