A CANCER patient at Worcestershire Royal Hospital has tied the knot on the ward where she is being cared for.

Lesley and Nicholas Bailey brought forward their wedding day from January after Lesley was diagnosed with throat cancer in April.

With Lesley, aged 58, in need of on-going care, the team on the head and neck ward volunteered to host the couple’s wedding at the hospital on Wednesday.

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Lesley and Nicholas - who have been together for 15 years - were joined by more than 20 of their friends and family - as well as some ward staff - to tie the knot in a service which included a reading from the hospital chaplain.

Lesley said: “The staff were all amazing. They gave me total care, both emotionally and physically and nothing was too much trouble.

"From the doctors, nurses, porters and support staff, they’ve all been totally unbelievable.”

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.

Ms Furlong 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.

“It’s about putting patients first and making Lesley’s day special.”

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

Nicholas, aged 53, from Stourport said: “I want to thank everyone for coming and for all the nurses for making the room look absolutely amazing for our service.”

Following the wedding day, Lesley was able to be discharged yesterday afternoon.

Lesley, a retired nurse, worked for the last 15 years all over Worcestershire, most recently with the learning disability nursing team.