Chesterfield family ‘forever grateful’ to Royal hospital staff after lockdown health ordeals

A family say they will be ‘forever grateful’ to staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital who helped them when they faced stressful health ordeals during lockdown.

By Michael Broomhead

Published 5th Jun 2020, 18:20 GMT

Updated 9th Jun 2020, 18:01 GMT

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Jordan and Kelly Tunnicliffe, of Hasland, welcomed twins Harry and Poppy to the world on May 6.

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After his birth, little Harry developed respiratory problems and was admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Pictured are Jordan and Kelly Tunnicliffe holding their newborn twins Harry and Poppy. Behind them are Oliver and his sister Amber, 16, who is a young volunteer at Chesterfield Royal Hospitak.

Pictured are Jordan and Kelly Tunnicliffe holding their newborn twins Harry and Poppy. Behind them are Oliver and his sister Amber, 16, who is a young volunteer at Chesterfield Royal Hospitak.

Then, Kelly’s 14-year-old son Oliver was rushed to the Royal after suddenly becoming unwell with suspected meningitis.

Thankfully, all of the family is now at home recovering well – and they are full of praise for Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s ‘amazing’ staff.

Senior nurse Kelly, who herself has worked at the Royal for nearly 20 years, said: “We will be forever grateful as a family and it’s certainly a time we will never forget.

“Staff overwhelmed us with kindness and support when our families couldn’t be there.

Harry and Poppy were born three minutes apart at 36 weeks, weighing 6lb 15oz and 7lbs 14oz.

Harry and Poppy were born three minutes apart at 36 weeks, weighing 6lb 15oz and 7lbs 14oz.

“The birth centre staff were exceptional and bore the brunt of my many tears.

“The NICU staff were kind and caring.

“When Oliver was admitted, my amazing midwife Diane Ward took me to be with him and stayed to support me as I had just had a Caesarean section.

“I was supported with personal protective equipment at every step so I could be with my children.

“I felt very safe and cared for.

“We were given iPads to allow easier communication between us all and to update our families and friends on the outside and this made such a difference at such a difficult time.”

Kelly said she left the hospital with all three children on May 13 after eight days.

“We’re now all recovering well at home, feeling incredibly thankful to the NHS and adjusting to life in lockdown with two teenagers and two newborn twins,” she said.

“Like many other new parents right now, we are missing our family and friends at this special and very busy time.

“Our families can’t wait to cuddle the new additions to our family.”

She added: “There are so many members of staff in various different departments at Chesterfield Royal Hospital who went over and above to help us and nothing was too much trouble.

“We can’t thank them enough.”

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