Elderly patient reunited with husband thanks to birthday surprise organised by kind-hearted hospital staff

Tears of joy were shed when an elderly inpatient was reunited with her husband ahead of her birthday thanks to kind-hearted staff at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Elizabeth Ross was admitted to Harvey Ward on Saturday 14 September with a broken hip following a fall at her home.

During a chat with ward Matron Penny Horton, Elizabeth revealed her 96th birthday was coming up and that she was sad that she wouldn’t get to spend it with her husband John, who she is the sole carer of, as he is currently staying in an assessment centre while she is in hospital. It is the longest time the couple have spent apart since they married on 17 August 1949.

John and Elizabeth sit together and hold a photograph of when they were younger

In the hope of putting a smile on Elizabeth’s face, Penny and Acting Ward Manager Sarah Burton arranged for John, aged 97, to be brought in to the hospital so he could join her for a surprise birthday tea party that they had arranged and held in the ward’s day room on Wednesday (2 October).

Elizabeth and John Ross with four of their children

Four of the couple’s five children, as well as some of their 13 grandchildren and other family members, were there to watch the emotional reunion along with the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer Nick Sinclair and Associate Director of Patient Experience Nikki Lewis who presented Elizabeth with a potted plant.

Staff laid on sandwiches and other nibbles as well as a cake and cups of tea. Elizabeth, who worked as an auxiliary nurse at Sheppey General Hospital on the Isle of Sheppey for 25 years, also proudly wore a birthday sash.

The great, great grandmother, who turned 96 on Friday 4 October, said: “It was beautiful. I can’t thank the staff enough for what they did for me.

“Apart from when John was in the Navy this is the longest time we have been apart from one another since we got married. When I go home we will be going home together.”

John and Elizabeth with their family, friends and staff on Harvey Ward

Jayne Black, Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, said: “Happy birthday to Elizabeth and a huge thank you to everyone who arranged this very special event to ensure she got to see her beloved husband John ahead of her birthday.

“I see great care from staff towards our patients everyday but this is a shining example of how they really do go above and beyond when it comes to the mental wellbeing of patients during their stay with us. I know the event meant a lot to the family and that it really helped to put a smile on Elizabeth’s face, as well as John’s and their loved ones’, during a difficult time for the family.

“From everyone at the Trust, we wish Elizabeth a speedy recovery and hope that both she and John are back in the comfort of their own home again soon.”

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