A WOMAN delivered an emotional speech at the launch of Relative Comfort, the Countess of Chester Hospital’s new fundraising appeal.
Claire Brock was left devastated after her late husband Stuart, 42, was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital’s Intensive Therapy Unit following a serious car crash in January 2007.
Claire, of Rhostyllen, told the hushed audience how she remained by her husband’s side for two days, propped up on chairs and trying to grab a few moments sleep in a side room that, by luck, she had managed to commandeer.
She said: “The NHS’s first priority has to be the patient, but what of the families who have had their world turned upside down? Dignity for the patient and dignity for the families should go hand in hand.
“There were 11 of us in that side room when Doctor Richard Nelson had to tell me Stuart had been pronounced brain dead.
“That sort of news is never delivered easily and thankfully his kind and caring manner made up for the fact he wasn’t able to tell me in comfortable surroundings.
“He had to kneel by my side, his nursing team were kneeling beside him and family and friends were balanced on arms of chairs. Not ideal for any of us.”
