MENINGITIS DAD PRAISES AWARD-WINNING UNIT (From Warrington Guardian)

MENINGITIS DAD PRAISES AWARD-WINNING UNIT

GRATEFUL dad George Hammond has praised the care given to his sick son by staff at an award-winning hospital.

Adam Hammond, aged six, has made a full recovery after being struck down by meningococcal septicaemia.

He was treated at North Staffordshire Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit, the first of its kind to receive a Charter Mark, a government award for excellent public service.

Adam, from Dale Crescent, Congleton, visited the unit on Monday with his parents to say a personal thankyou to nurses and doctors.

''Staff at the unit gave 110 per cent, and the great thing is even though Adam is now cured the nurses haven't forgotten us,'' said Mr Hammond.

''They still ask after Adam and ask how he is doing, and the unit deserves this award more than anyone.

''Every aspect of the care they gave our son was fantastic, and we know we couldn't have been anywhere better.''

Mr Hammond rushed Adam to Congleton War Memorial Hospital when he complained of aching limbs and became very lethargic.

When he arrived he had developed a rash, and doctors diagnosed meningococcal septicaemia and began treatment with antibiotics.

He was taken to Macclesfield Hospital, but transferred to North Staffs when his condition worsened.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.