A COUPLE has experienced the ‘honeymoon’ treatment during a recent admission to University Hospital Llandough (UHL).

The couple and their Age Connect Volunteer Anne O’Regan have praised the excellent care and support they have received from staff at East eight ward at UHL.

Julia and Trevor Lewis from Cardiff spent six weeks in hospital after Julia became unwell and needed to undergo a blood transfusion.

At first Julia refused admission to hospital as she was worried and concerned about leaving her husband Trevor at home without her, but hospital staff made arrangements for the couple to be moved to the ‘honeymoon suite’ where they could rest and recuperate together.

Anne who has known Julia and Trevor for the last six months said she became very concerned about Julia after a return from holiday.

Anne explained: "I arranged for other Age Connect volunteers to visit Trevor during the time Julia was in hospital.

When I came back from holiday, I visited them both and was increasingly concerned about Julia as she had become very unwell so I contacted her GP, who said that Julia was anaemic and required a blood transfusion."

Julia eventually agreed to be admitted into hospital but her anxiety over what would happen to Trevor was still there.

I took Julia into Llandough Hospital and explained the situation regarding Trevor to them.”

Trevor experiences a number of health problems himself with difficulty walking due to pain in his knees and dementia.

Hearing their story, the hospital admitted Trevor as a social admission so he would still receive a level of care while Julia underwent her vital procedure but he and Julia ended up on different wards.

Both improved in their health and Julia was sent to a discharge ward where she unfortunately became ill again so she was transferred onto East eight so they could monitor her condition.

Ward staff realised that Julia wasn’t improving as well as they had hoped due to her anxiety over Trevor so arrangements were made to bring Trevor to Julia every day so they could have all their meals together.

The Ward Manager noticed that their anxiety increased when they were apart so they were waiting for a male bed to become available to move Trevor closer to Julia.

This is when they were both moved to the ‘honeymoon suite’.

Julia praised the care she received at UHL as exceptional saying; “Staff have been absolutely brilliant and have gone over and above.

The staff are like family now and it’s like being in a lovely home with a big family, that’s how I feel, like I’m with all my brothers and sisters.

Everyone has been so kind and caring and we have been very fortunate and privileged that we have been brought here. I will miss the people when I go home. The ones that are looking after us are brilliant.”

Trevor and Julia now realise that help and support is available to them and things are being put in place for them to return home to help them manage and maintain their independence.

Trevor added: “If anyone has to come to this hospital and they are worried I would say forget the worry.

Once they are in here they will realise how lucky they are. It’s a lovely hospital to come to. I have always looked after myself but I can’t fault the care I have had here.”