Grieving Halifax husband says he was stopped from seeing his dying wife in hospital due to restrictions

Craig Sunderland, 46, says he was unable to visit partner of 23 years Helen, 45, in the hours before she passed away from pneumonia earlier this month.

Not being at Helen's bedside left him "devastated", Craig said and added that being able to hold her hand as she slipped away would have made things "easier" for both of them.

Craig has also pointed out the "unfair" nature of the current rules, which meant people could go to the pub and cinema on the day of Helen's death but he couldn't see her.

Helen passed away at Calderdale Royal Hospital on September 13, where current restrictions mean only patients in longer than 21 days can be visited, unless they are receiving end-of-life care.

Craig said she was admitted on September 1 but, due to the restrictions, he wasn't able to see her until the 11th, when she took a turn for the worst.

According to Craig, he requested another visit on the 12th but was refused because his wife's condition was improving and no longer critical.

However, Craig says he was called the very next day and told Helen had taken a drastic turn and slipped away before he was able to visit and say goodbye.

Craig, from Halifax, said: "I believe we need to take a common sense and compassionate approach to hospital visits.

"The day my wife died if I wanted I could have gone to a cinema or pub in a room of strangers... all in the pursuit of money it seems.

"Pubs were open which meant people who didn't know each other could meet but at the same time I couldn't see my wife, it's unfair.

"With regard to hospitals, we need to look at each situation and work out the risks."

He added: "It would have meant the world for Helen to see me before she passed away, it would have lifted her spirits.

"Ending things like that would have made the grieving process much easier, as it is I was left devastated."

Helen worked for the NHS for 24 years before suffering a spontaneous dislocation of her spine three and half years ago, leaving her paralysed from the shoulders down.

She was bed bound at home for the last two years before falling ill on September 1, when she was rushed to Calderdale Royal Hospital and diagnosed with double pneumonia.

Craig says he was unable to see his wife for 11 days because her condition was not critical, until he received a call from a nurse saying she was unlikely to make it through the night and that he could visit.

He claims he was forced to wear a hazmat suit and breathing apparatus but was at least able to hold his wife's hand and tell her he loved her before leaving.

Craig remained in contact with the nurses and his wife via text the next day, he said, and was told she was improving and no longer critical, meaning he was unable to visit.

However, she took a drastic turn on the 13th and sadly passed away that day without seeing her husband or family members again, a devastated Craig said today (Thurs).

A devout Catholic, she was not able to see a priest or take a visit from her twin sister, who she last saw before the lockdown on March 12, Craig claims.

He said: "I know she would have felt better knowing I was there by her side."

Craig said he is speaking out because her wants Helen's death to help change the way the current restrictions are implemented.

He added: "I want her legacy to have changed something... for someone else not to have to go through the grief process alone."

The Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust have ) commented on the matter.

Director of Nursing Ellen Armistead, said: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mr Sunderland during this very difficult time.

"Our thoughts are with him and his family and we recognise the impact not being able to visit in these circumstances will have had on Mrs Sunderland's loved ones.

"Visiting restrictions reflect local prevalence and are in place to ensure patients, relatives and staff are protected as much as possible and to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus in the hospital and onward to the community setting.

"We keep the restrictions under constant review as we absolutely recognise the importance of visiting for patients and families.

"Where we have been able to relax restrictions, we have done so.

"Where patients are receiving end of life care then visiting is permitted.

"Sadly where a patient's condition deteriorates rapidly or unexpectedly it is not always possible to put this in place.

"Once again, our deepest condolences to Mr Sunderland and family at this sad time."