Betty Hunt, 91, from Nottingham, has been discharged from the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in time for Christmas with her family.
The great-grandmother of 10 was admitted to QMC over a week ago with a broken wrist after falling at home.
She said: “I am very grateful for all the nurses and doctors. They have all been very helpful. I can’t thank them enough!
“I am very excited to go home and spend Christmas with my family. Mashed potatoes are my favourite bit of the roast.”
Betty used to be a machinist in a Littlewoods factory making children’s clothes. Now, she spends her time with her five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She added: “For me, it is Christmas when I have put my late husband’s nativity set up and am surrounded by family. I am very grateful for all the care I have received and to be able to go home in time for Christmas Day.”
Joanna Armstrong, Deputy Sister on the Transfer of Care Unit (TOCU) at QMC, said: “It is really important to get our patients home for Christmas, where they ultimately want to be. I know it means a lot for Betty to get home for the holidays to be with her large extended family, as she is very family-oriented.
“For those patients who sadly can’t go home for Christmas, we want to create the best experience possible, although we understand it will never be the same as being at home.”
Last Christmas, we created 420 empty beds by Christmas Eve through discharging medically safe patients.
• Nottingham Hospitals urges people to help get loved ones home for Christmas
This year, we are hoping to create 430 empty beds by getting more patients like Betty home for the festive period.
Dr Mark Simmonds, Deputy Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We want as many patients as possible to be home for Christmas. We are working with our system partners to ensure we can safely discharge patients over the coming days.
“By working together, we can ensure that hospital beds are available for those who need them most in early January, when we see high demand. It also means our current patients will be where they want to be for Christmas: at home.”
This winter, we are urging the public to do all they can to help their relatives, friends, and neighbours leave hospital in time for Christmas.
Dr Simmonds added: “If you have a loved one or family member in hospital, please support us so we can ensure nobody stays in hospital any longer than is necessary.
“You can help us by arranging transport to pick loved ones up and ensuring homes are warm and stocked with the necessities to reduce the risk of readmission.”
There are a number of ways that family members, friends, and neighbours can help their loved ones get home this Christmas:
- Offer them a lift home.
- Check they have a key.
- Get essential supplies, such as bread and milk.
- Make sure their home is warm and safe.
- Make sure they have suitable clothing and shoes.
