Our staff made it possible for long-term patient Val Overton, 74, to be reunited with her dog on the ward at Queen’s Hospital.

Grandmother Val, who has dementia, was delighted when three-year-old Jack Russell cross Douglas was brought to her bedside after two months apart during her hospital stay.

Douglas was brought in by Val’s daughter Alison Chapman, 40, and her husband Matt.

Alison, who lives in Southend, said: “It’s all she’s been asking for and we really wanted to do it to try and cheer her up. It was quite emotional to see them together and so lovely that we could make it happen.

“I was surprised it was so quick and easy to arrange. We asked staff whether we could bring him in and it was all arranged in just a few days.”

Val, of Cotleigh Road, Romford, fed Douglas some of his favourite bacon and the pup was on his best behavior the whole time he was on the ward.

His visit was made possible thanks to our ward sister Belle Farnsworth working closely with our Patient Experience Team.

Sister Belle said: “Val is such a lovely lady and she was really desperate to see her dog so I’m delighted that we were able to make it happen. Douglas behaved impeccably on the ward and we all fell a little bit in love with him!”

Pictured above is Val’s son-in-law Matt with Douglas