The family of a much-loved character who died in Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) say the compassion from doctors, nurses and cleaners meant the world.

Orpington man Thomas Edward Costin, better known as Tony, passed away in his daughter’s arms on August 9 while receiving palliative care at the hospital.

Boxing mad Tony, 82, was admitted on Sunday (August 4) with a severe chest infection and pneumonia and by Tuesday he was put on palliative care on the 'medical 9 ward'.

He suffered from dementia and his daughter, Julie Tynan, 51, said the treatment of hospital staff helped with the family’s grief.

"They were just really passionate," Julie told News Shopper. "My dad wasn’t aware of what was going on, but they still spoke to him lovely and told him what they were doing."

The night Tony died an upset Julie told a nurse she just wanted to cuddle her dad.

Staff moved Tony over to allow Julie to comfort him.

"He went that night in my arms," she said. "They are really helping with our grief."

Julie mentioned all the nurses and gave special recognition to Tony’s main carer, Lanz.

"He was just so lovely with him and really caring," she said. "I just can’t praise the staff enough. Me and my brother slept on chairs and they brought us in a recliner.

"It was obviously sad enough that he died but to have had issues with his care would have been heartbreaking."

She added: "Staff kept coming in to see if we wanted anything, tea or coffee. They have 101 things to do but still wanted to help."

Julie, who now lives in Welling, said the cleaner was also compassionate and was eager to do anything she could.

The daughter spoke to News Shopper about some of her best memories with her dad.

"Walking me down the aisle was obviously one," she said. "I was a real daddy’s girl and he used to tell me stories.

"I used to think he was a church goer as a kid and it wasn’t until I was about 11 I realised the church was the pub," Julie laughed.

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Tony loved to be centre of attention and Julie said being in the news would have pleased him.

"He was a right party animal," Julie reflected. "He was also a lifelong boxing fan and used to watch it all the time.

"We used to buy him every knew boxing book that came out and he bought Boxing News every week."

Finally, Julie told News Shopper why she wanted to thank the PRUH staff publicly.

She simply said: "People are always quick to complain but are never as quick to say thank you."

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