Lochie Fallaize is the first local child to ring the new ‘end of treatment’ bell on Frossard Ward at Guernsey’s Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
Normally children ring the ‘end of treatment bell’ on the ward where they received most of their treatment; which in Lochie’s case was Piam Brown in Southampton. However, due to Covid-19 restriction she was unable to travel to the UK to ring the bell there. Because Lochie couldn’t have the celebration she deserved, her mum Ellie, contacted the Children’s Community Nursing team to see what they could do.
Emily Hooper, Children’s Community Nurse said: “Our team have seen Lochie once a week since her return from Southampton to take blood samples and she has also had to travel to the UK every 12 weeks for chemotherapy treatment. She has been a superstar throughout. Because Lochie couldn’t ring the bell in Southampton, I contacted the Charity who supply the bells at the beginning of January this year and applied for Frossard Ward to have their own. This was delivered and installed just prior to the second lockdown in the Bailiwick in January”.
Lochie was able to ring the bell on Frossard Ward to celebrate the end of her treatment at the end of March this year.
Ellie, Lochie’s mum said: “It was such an emotional day to see Lochie finally ringing the end of treatment bell. She has been an absolute fighter through her gruelling treatment. To see her so happy ringing the bell on the ward where she has received so much support was beautiful to see”.
The family held a party after the bellringing and raised money for the Priaulx Baby Foundation as the family used the flat a lot whilst they were in Southampton. These flats are invaluable for the families of Bailiwick residents who have to spend a lot of time in Southampton for treatment.
The bell will be used in the future to enable all Bailiwick children who go through such a journey to celebrate with their family around them.
