Selly Oak Hospital (R WELSH Inpatients) - Visit

[rog98]

I have never meet you Gerry, but nice one mate.

rog

[Gerrycc943]

Hi again,

Whilst attending a RRW Association Meeting this afternoon, took time out to speak to the Selly Oak Mil Wing, ref our in-patients.

All mobiles were off, so I had to go through the Wards. Plenty of good news as follows:

a. Ritchie and Ruth have returned to Cyprus. Didn't get a chance to say farewell, however, good luck for the future to you both.

b. Spence goes on sick leave tomorrow (Thu). He will not be going back to Selly Oak, after a well earned convalescence, he is scheduled to move to Hadley Court on 29 Sep.

c. Lcpl Sam (2RW). My only casualty to visit. Spoke to Sam this afternoon regarding visits. Have invited him and any family visitors to spend his weekend at my place, transport provided. If he accepts, who knows, perhaps another hangover!!

[Gerrycc943]

Hi,

As a result of the Rugby & Footbal evening fixtures, visited Selly Oak this afternoon to see Lcpl Sam, 2RW.
He's in good form, apart from an infection picked up, which has resulted in him being placed in an isolation cubicle, still on Ward S4.
He was gasping for a fag when I got there, however, he only smokes roll ups and, unfortunately, the hospital shop does not sell tobacco or cigarette papers. Informed Sam that I will do what I can to meet his needs.
If any of his chums intend visiting, a composite pack of Golden Virginia and Rizla papers would be better recieved than grapes or fruit etc!!
Sam has asked me to convey his thanks and appreciation to those who work within the welfare and service engine room who have been most generous during his time of need. Well Done to all you lads behind the scenes, unsung heroes even, for the comfort and reassurance that you offer and apply to the families of our service personnel who are engaged in the current conflict.
I'll be visiting again lunchtime Fri. So any messages that you might have, please let me have them ASP and I will convey them accordingly.
Sam does have an e-mail address. I will PM UKSniper with the e-mail details should any of sam's mates want to send him a message!

[Gerrycc943]

Hi,

Visited yesterday lunchtime.

Took Lcpl Sam, 2nd Bn, some Golden Virginia and Rizla papers. He's ok apart from some discomfort as a result of his wound infection. He's going on a Hospital trip to the Birmingham Bull Ring today (Sat), pm, and his sister is coming up from Cardiff to visit him tomorrow.

Another 2nd Bn admission on Thursday, a Fijian, Pte Ben ********** (GSW). I'll PM his surname to UK Sniper and those who need to know. He's single and doesn't expect to be at Selly Oak very long before moving on to rehab. We did discuss Wales's next match with Fiji on 29th and I informed him that any further visits would hinge on the result!!

He doesn't have a mobile or Lap Top

I'll be visiting again on Mon or Wed next week.

Bye for now,

[Gerrycc943]

Hi again,

Visited this afternoon, still just the two 2nd Bn casualties on the ward.

Lcpl Sam.
He was quite talkative about his shopping trip to the Birmingham Bull Ring on Sat plus his Sister coming up from Cardiff yesterday to visit him. The infection to his wound seems to be in remission and he looks all the better for it. Indeed, his cheeks were quite rosy and he looked much better than he has on my previous visits. His main concern now is boredom setting in!! There is an Officer patient on the ward (Maj), Sam couldn't remember his name, who has organised a trip this weekend to the Chelsea V Fulham match for some of the mobile patients, Sam is going.

Pte Ben (Fijian).
Ben was more chirpy today, not too happy with the Australia V Fiji results, however. Contrary to my last chat with him, he has identified that he has a Brother serving with 2nd Bn R Anglian and another Brother who enlisted into the Black Watch, but not sure which Scottish Regt he is currently serving with. He also has a Sister married to a soldier in the RLC living in MSQs Colchester. They have all been in touch with him. He is being seen by Specialists 2morrow and expects to be on his way to Hadley Court for rehab by the weekend. If anyone on the forum is in touch with the 2nd Bn in Afghan, Ben wishes to be remembered to the members of C Coy, he misses them and is looking forward to the eventual reunion!!

Post Script.
Should any of Ben's buddies wish to send him a message, Lcpl Sam has generously offered the services of his mobile phone and his lap top (email), details can be obtained either from me or UKSniper who can PM those interested. The ward telephone No (S4) is 0121 627 8912.

Will be phoning the hospital later in the week for a sitrep and will update the forum accordingly.

Bye for now,

[Gerrycc943]

Hi again,

Visited this afternoon, still just the 2 X 2nd Bn in-patients.

Pte Ben was in surgery and Lcpl Sam was outside in one of the smoking bays having a fag. Tried to locate him, even on mobile, without success. As it was approaching 3.30pm, couldn't hang about - chores to do!!.

However, I am a member of the Royal Welsh Vets Forum (RRW Site) and keep them updated also. Lcpl Sam is now a forum member which makes it much easier regarding communicating with his pals and forum members.

During one of my previous threads, I mentioned Lcpl Sam gasping for a fag and the Hospital shop not selling Golden Virginia. I have explained to the 2nd Bn welfare personnel that this was in no way a criticism of the hospital or welfare staff just a quote from a statement that Lcpl Sam made to me. Indeed, the Mil patients on Wards S3 and S4 are looked after extremely well.

Will be phoning 2morrow and visiting next Wed.

SSgt Spence.
Placed previous threads on this site on The Royal Welsh Vets Forum (RRW Site). They were quite grateful as some members of the forum played Rugby with Spence and he had the unique privilege of winning the ARU Cup with both Bn's, 1 RWF and 1 RRW.

Bye for now,

[Gerrycc943]

Hi again,

As promised on my previous thread, phoned the ward today, after the match of course, bearing in mind that one of our 2bn in-patients is Fijian!!

However, Lcpl Sam was away on his day out to watch the Chelsea V Fulham match. Pte Ben, after his surgery yesterday, is now in the Alex Transit ward and will be either discharged to barracks or transferred to rehab on Mon. Will know more on Mon morning and will update the forum accordingly.

Bye for now,

[Gerrycc943]

Hi again,

Down to one 2nd Bn in-patient now (Lcpl Sam).

Pte Ben (The Jammy Fijian) has been dischared on sick leave, possibly three weeks, but then has to return to Selly Oak Out Patients for re-assessment.. Hospital staff wouldn't disclose his leave address details but I'm more than confident that he will shortly appear in the 2nd Bn system!!.

Lcpl Sam. Informed by hospital staff that he's doing ok, enjoyed his day trip last Sat to watch the Cheslea V Fulham match. Doesn't answer my calls or messages, however, he's now a member of the the 2nd Bn forum and able to communicate with his chums and up-date the forum accordingly.

Bye for now,

[ap1]

I think your job is now done Gerry. Many thanks for your efforts these last few months.

Your updates have been appreciated by the forum members.

[BennytheBall]

Just to enhance Al's words, WELL DONE! Gerry, you done us proud.
BennytheBall
and
All at the Shotton and Deeside Branch RWFCA