Rescuing Billy - a patient's final wish
In September a patient was admitted to Whipps Cross Hospital’s Emergency Department. During his stay, he told our ICU colleagues that he has a dog at home who was left alone.
With no next of kin listed on his records, our staff immediately acted to retrieve his beloved pet by contacting the Police and the RSPCA.
After the patient sadly died, the ICU team persisted in contacting help, showing great compassion to go beyond the call of duty and honour the patient’s final wishes. Jo, our practice development nurse then personally assisted the RSPCA team to the patient’s house to ensure the furry companion, Billy, was safe.
Safely collected, Billy was found in good condition, and we’re delighted to say he has since been rehomed!
Jo explains: “This was a very humbling experience as I got to see the patient’s home and his most loved companion. I’m very glad to hear that Billy has been rehomed. He has been on my mind as I know he will be missing his dad.
“Honouring this patient’s final wish has certainly highlighted how precious life is, and helping Billy has been a career highlight.”
At Barts Health, we’re privileged to work with such amazing staff who are passionate about providing exceptional end of life care. They often go above and beyond for patients and their loved ones, and Billy’s story reflects how our amazing colleagues will go the extra mile to support patients during difficult times.
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