A mum thanked staff at University Hospital Wishaw for helping her dad virtually meet his great-granddaughter.
Fiona Bryan’s 83-year-old dad Alex lives in Braidwood Carluke with his wife Jean but had to spend some time in hospital when he contracted coronavirus.
Fiona, who works as a moving and handling adviser for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Dad had pneumonia in January and had been unwell following this with recurrent chest issues.
“He had been poorly since the pneumonia and was not picking up.”
Due to social distancing rules during the Covid-19 pandemic, Alex’s family had only been able to see him through the window.
On April 18 Fiona received a call from his carers to say that he was not good.
She said: “We went to visit him and he looked terrible. He had a fever and was pale and was confused.”
Alex was admitted to University Hospital Wishaw with what they believed was a chest infection.
However, he tested positive for coronavirus the next day.
Fiona said her dad knew he was unwell and might not make it but he wanted to go home and see his new great grandchild, who was due soon.
Alex’s granddaughter Hannah gave birth to Cora on April 23 while he was in hospital.
Fiona said: “I called the ward and asked if they could tell dad.
“Since my dad doesn’t have a smartphone, I printed a picture of Cora and asked the staff to pass it onto him.
“However, the nurse I spoke to offered to set up a video call for us on the ward iPad.
Alex managed to see and speak to his family again and he got to meet little Cora.
Cora’s mum Hannah, wrote on Facebook: “I think she gave him the boost he needed to get better.”
After his special video call, Alex continued to improve and was discharged home on May 5.
Fiona added: “Dad is doing really well. He is looking forward to a time when he can hold his new great grandchild.
“I can’t thank the staff in ward eight enough. They were fantastic and so good with us all.”
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