Why we will forever be grateful to Barnsley Hospital - Yorkshire Post Letters

We hear often how our NHS is overstretched and overburdened, the staff who work within it faced with myriad pressures.

Against this backdrop, we have had three hospital attendances with my baby boy in the past three months - and, despite all the unenviable challenges they’re up against, the staff we have encountered at Barnsley Hospital have been nothing short of incredible in the care and compassion they have given us.

My now four-month old has had admissions with sepsis and viral meningitis, and most recently a day-stay with bronchiolitis.

We’ve spent time in children’s A&E, children’s assessment unit and the children’s ward, and every member of staff we have come across has been proficient, diligent and empathetic.

When we needed to be, we were seen urgently. When our baby was more stable, staff attended to him as much as needed, whilst prioritising more unwell patients.

Medical procedures and terminology were well-explained to us so we were informed about our boy’s care, progress and next steps at all times.

When I shed tears, they offered comforting arms. When our baby was undergoing necessary but distressing treatment, they did their utmost to soothe him.

Most importantly, they were there for him, to get him well again, in his hours of need.

It is not the first time we have sung the praises of staff here, as our eldest boy, now three, had similar admissions with infections when he was a baby.

Words will never be enough to express our gratitude. Thank you - for caring for our babies, for listening to us, for reassuring us, and ultimately, for enabling us to bring home healthy children after some of our most worrying times.