The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is famous for patient care. So, when the team discovered patient Wendy McFadden would be missing her parents' diamond wedding anniversary, they pulled out all the stops to help her celebrate with her family.
A diamond wedding anniversary
Gordon and Pauline Weston married in 1961 in Stoke-on-Trent. It was a small ceremony, and the couple were very happy. But Pauline always wished they could have had a ‘proper wedding’ with all the fanfare and guests.
As they approached their 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversary, their daughter Wendy planned to do something special for her mum and dad, both now in their eighties.
Wendy organised a wedding renewal ceremony. It would be a surprise and all her parents' friends and family would celebrate together – it would be the big wedding her mum had always wanted.
Unfortunately, the pandemic meant that the ceremony had to be delayed.
During this time, Wendy’s own health deteriorated, and she required specialist hip surgery from the expert team at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH). The operation couldn’t be postponed.
Unfortunately, this meant she would be in hospital on the same day as her parents wedding renewal.
Helping Wendy celebrate
When the team at ROH heard that Wendy would miss the ceremony, they decided to help.
The Ward 4 nursing and housekeeping team organised for the ceremony to be streamed to her room so she could watch and take part.
They helped her dress for the occasion, they did her hair and make-up, decorated her room and organised a special meal.
Many of the Ward 4 team came in on their day off, just to sit and enjoy the ceremony with Wendy.
Wendy was moved by the support she received. She said: “Every single member of the team has been amazing. They all deserve medals for what they’ve done. I spent so long helping to organise my parents wedding renewal and despite being in hospital, I’ve still been part of the day.
"I can’t thank them enough.”
Yi Kessey, Ward 4 Manager said: “We’ve all grown very attached to Wendy. She’s a very special lady and it’s our pleasure to help her celebrate. Part of nursing care is seeing the whole person and we knew this event was very important to Wendy. I’m really proud of the whole team today.”
"Every single member of the team has been amazing. They all deserve medals for what they’ve done. I spent so long helping to organise my parents wedding renewal and despite being in hospital, I’ve still been part of the day. I can’t thank them enough."
