13 December 2017
War veteran and ex-gunner Frank Gambrill, 94, from Whitstable, is now recovering at home thanks to Home First.
The great-grandfather spent six days in the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate after a fall on 4 November.
Frank is grieving for his wife, Shelia, who died just a month ago. They had been married for 63 years and he was keen to get back to his home town, where he has lived all his life.
He said: “It’s been a very difficult couple of months. I cared for Shelia for a year before she died and she didn’t want to go into hospital either.
“I suffer from gout and have been in lot of pain. My leg was so painful. It just went from under me and over I went. I couldn’t get up or move or anything.”
Frank managed to call his daughter, Jennifer, who dialled 999. As soon as he was admitted to hospital, the team, made up of doctors, nurses, therapists and social care professionals, discussed his treatment daily and how to get him home safely.
The fluid was drained from Frank’s leg and after six days in hospital, he was ready to be discharged and the Home First Team kicked into action.
He said: “I was so glad to be back home, it’s much nicer to be in your own surroundings. I was surprised the team was over here so quick. I can’t believe all the attention from the lovely nurses.
“I can’t do gardening anymore, but I don’t like to be just sat in hospital, I suppose hardly anybody does.”