A STOURPORT patient tied the knot with her long-time partner on the hospital ward where she is currently being cared for.

Bride Lesley, aged 58, finally got to marry her partner of 15 years, 53-year-old Nicholas Bailey, during a special ceremony at Worcestershire Royal Hospital yesterday (Wednesday 27 November).

Following Lesley's diagnosis of throat cancer, the couple were forced to bring forward their wedding day, originally scheduled for January.

With retired nurse Lesley in need of on-going care, the team on the Head and Neck ward at the hospital volunteered to host their nuptials.

Lesley and Nicholas were joined by more than 20 of their friends and family at the service, which included a special reading from the hospital chaplain.

Health Care Assistant Beth Furlong and Ward Sister Abby Currie came in on their day off to help decorate the family room on the ward for the service, which was carried out by a county registrar.

Health Care Assistant and chief wedding planner, Beth said: “It was a big team effort from everyone on the ward to make this happen.

"Lesley was planning on getting married in January; she had the whole day planned out.

"Unfortunately, doctors advised her to bring her wedding day forward so we decided to organise today.”

Staff lined the corridor of the ward and applauded as Lesley walked down the aisle to meet a nervous Nicholas in the ward’s family room.

Nicholas said: “I want to thank everyone for coming and for all the nurses for making the room look absolutely amazing for our service.”

Beth added: “A few of us have brought all of the decorations in and spent this morning decorating and we dealt with the registrar to make it all official. It’s about putting patients first and making Lesley’s day special.”