Palliative Care Patient Marries Long Term Partner with Help from Hospital Staff

Thursday 2nd December 2021

A patient in the last few weeks of his life was able to fulfil one of his final wishes by marrying his long term partner last week, as the Palliative Care Team and Ward 4/3 at Nevill Hall Hospital organised their wedding on the ward.

Patient, Garry Harper, tied the knot with partner, Alison, at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny on Thursday 25th November 2021, with Garry's mother, father, children and best man there to witness the ceremony.

Going above and beyond their roles, staff at Nevill Hall Hospital ‘worked their magic’- in Garry's words- to decorate the ward and to provide a wedding cake to ensure Garry’s last wishes came true.

Reflecting on the wedding, Garry said “Alison & I are pleased to announce that we took the plunge and today we got married. Being unable to leave hospital, the palliative care team worked their magic and with the support of the ward 4/3 at Nevill Hall Hospital, we did it.

“The ward made the day room look so pretty with bunting and one of the lovely staff making some Rice Krispie cakes on a stand and a celebratory cake as well as some toasting drinks. It was so special.

“My lovely girl Alison is now officially Mrs Alison Harper.”

Claire Harris, Lead Nurse for Palliative Care, said:

“The staff in both Palliative Care and Ward 4/3 Nevill Hall Hospital made a tremendous effort to make this event as special as they could for the couple and it is a heart-warming example of staff coming together and truly going the extra mile.”

Daniel Saunders, Ward Manager at Nevill Hall Hospital’s Ward 4/3, said:

“The staff on our ward are so proud that they’ve been able to help fulfil one of Garry’s last wishes. The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for us all, and as we continue to work in such exceptional circumstances, being part of such a positive event was a huge privilege.”

Congratulations to the newlyweds, our staff were so pleased to be able to make your day so special!

Pictured below l-r: Garry on his wedding day; the happy couple on their wedding day