A lovely letter to the team at Elmhurst!

"Dear Donna, Now that things have calmed down a little after my mother's death I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you and the team at Elmhurst for all your help and support during the 9 months or so that my mother was with you. The reasons that we chose Elmhurst, rather than anything particular about facilities, were surrounding the feeling of warmth and care that the place exuded from staff, patients and families associated with Elmhurst. I'm very pleased to say that it was this that was most to the fore throughout my mother's stay. It's a delicate balance between all the rigours of caring for the elderly and infirm; the incapacities, the medication, the eating and sleeping and the softer touches of care and consideration. Often with individuals who are a little beyond appreciating what is being done for them. All I can say is that you and your team, particularly those on Jasmine ward: Claire, Carmen, Maureen, Jauri, Linda, Lynn and the rest all conspired to make my mother's declining months as happy and comfortable as possible. They were stars. All was done professionally and with a smile on their faces and I know my mother appreciated each of those little kindnesses that made her last months more bearable. A final thanks, please to Carmen who was there at the end and handled things so effectively and sensitively and to you Leon, Jane, Beverley and the rest for always being helpful and having a smile on your faces despite the difficulties. If you need recommendations or an advocate please don't hesitate to use my name. Yours sincerely, A"