AN NHS worker has spoken of her pride in her hospital after her grandad was admitted to the ward where she works.

John Maiden spent 27 days at Worcestershire Royal following a seizure after a fall at home.

He was so ill his family was told he might not pull through, but Mr Maiden recovered to return home in time to celebrate his 78th birthday.

Mr Maiden, from Kidderminster, suffers a rare brain condition known as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and was unconscious and needed help to breathe. He initially went to A&E but was later transferred to the Medical High Care and Short Stay ward where his granddaughter, Simone, works.

Simone, 24, senior health care assistant, said: “When I got to the hospital he was in A&E, who were just amazing. I really thought we were going to lose him. When he finally woke up I had my fingers and toes crossed that he could go to my ward.”

At first Mr Maiden needed oxygen and couldn’t walk or talk. His wife Veronica, 56, and Simone remained with him throughout.

After a week of treatment , Mr Maiden was able to breathe without an oxygen supply and was moved to a short stay bed, on the section of the ward where Simone works.

Simone said: “The physios and occupational therapists were amazing; every single staff member that had looked after grandad was just exceptional.

“Staff would message me on their days off to see how he was and go to see him before they started their shift, it was lovely.

“My grandad was so happy and grateful for the care he had received, but not only for him, for my nan as well, they’d never let her go without anything.”

Simone added: “I want to thank all of the staff at the hospital so much. I couldn’t have wished for him to have been in better hands.

"Grandad will still battle with his PSP, but with the support of his family he will not be alone with it.

“I’m so proud to work on Medical High Care and Short Stay and my whole family are so grateful for the care of the staff on the ward.”