Georgina Wills pays tribute to dad who died in hospital of Covid

Georgina Wills, who lives in Poole, has said that nothing was ever too much for the nurses and doctors at the hospital during her dad Dean Mueller-Davies' time in intensive care.

Dean was admitted to hospital on November 17 following difficulties coughing after testing positive for coronavirus.

He remained in hospital until he passed away on Friday, December 18, aged 62.

Dean Mueller-Davies

Georgina said: "I was called in to the hospital at 3am on the Thursday morning to see my dad. He was in the corridor which was made as an extension to the intensive care wards, it was so full. It was not a nice experience."

After this visit, Dean's health began to improve and plans were made to move him into an alternative ward.

However, doctors discovered air between his heart and lungs, resulting in Dean's health deteriorating once more.

Georgina said: "On Tuesday, December 1, the doctors called me and Ruth, dad's wife, in to the hospital. We were told that dad said he couldn’t fight anymore and he was so exhausted. Ruth and I went to say goodbye, top to toe in PPE.

"Dad said he was so sorry and that he tried his best. He also said that people need to know what it’s like in the hospital.

"That was the last time we spoke to him and I promised him I would tell people what it’s like."

Dean and his wife Ruth

Despite the circumstances, Georgina wants to share how great the staff at the Bournemouth hospital were during this tumultuous time.

While Dean was in hospital, nurses hung pictures Georgina had sent over his bed with a clothing line and played him music from his iPod everyday.

Georgina said: "Dad was treated with the most dignity I have ever known, the care was unbelievable. He was never alone whilst he was there.

"Dad took his tablet and the nurses said we could talk to him every day. We could phone anytime of the day or night.

"They also gave my son and dad a matching knitted zebra each.

"Nothing was ever too much trouble for them. All of these little things are so lovely and thoughtful."

The knitted zebra named 'Pancake' gifted to Georgina's son by nurses

The nurses also provided great care when it came to saying goodbye to Dean.

Georgina added: "The nurses said that there was no rush to say goodbye as they would be turning dad’s ventilator off. It wasn’t going to be natural.

"Ruthie and dad’s sister were there when it happened and they were not rushed.

"We can’t think highly enough of the staff. Dad’s doctor phoned us everyday just to give an update, even if there wasn’t one.

"They couldn’t have done more."

Dean with his children Louis Davies and Georgina Wills (top left and right) and his grandchildren Charlie, Kian and Lyndon

In response to the anti-lockdown protest that took place on Saturday, December 19, Georgina is urging people to take the virus seriously.

She said: "I fully appreciate that lockdown is awful and that people are frustrated, but having been in hospital three times to say goodbye to my dad and seeing how silent the hospital was, I would really urge people to take the virus seriously. I do not want them to be in the same position that we’re in, it’s really hard.

"Dad shielded for three months during the first lockdown, so those are three months I have lost with him already.

"Dad took the virus very seriously and he was frightened of catching it. One trip to the shops was all it took.

"It’s not going to be over if people don’t pull together."