Patients’ beds pushed together so one could hold dying partner

A WELSH intensive care consultant has described the emotional moment staff moved a patient’s bed to another ward so they could hold their partner’s hand as they died.

Detailing the lengths of care hospital staff are still providing despite Covid pressures, Dr Chris Gough, an intensive care consultant at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, described the heartbreaking scene as “emotional for everyone”.

He wrote in a tweet: “Last night we moved a patient from one ward to another, so they could hold their partner’s hand as they died. Two hospital beds pushed together.

“Hands stretched out and holding each other. Emotional for everyone.

“We still provide the best care we can, despite everything.”

The tweet has received thousands of likes, with many in the replies commending the “lovely gesture”.

“The good people of this country appreciate all you have done Chris.

Personally I’m not sure where you are still getting the energy from but I thank you for everything,” wrote Darren Bellamy.

User Lutra Lutra wrote: “In tears at that lovely gesture... We need to fight for the NHS before it is destroyed!”

“To be showing such love and compassion in the midst of all this is simply remarkable. This is emotional to read, never mind to experience. More power to you all,” said Eagleowl.

Peter Brackley added: “Despite the chronic neglect of the NHS for 10 years from 2010 and the huge staffing shortfall, the one thing that the NHS has never been short of is the amazing staff that work their socks off to look after us. Thank you for your care, your empathy and professionalism.”

The emotional tweet comes as the NHS faces pressure amid the wave of Omicron sweeping across Wales, with increases in cases of the new variant identified daily.