The family of famous singer songwriter Tom Grennan, from Bedford, visited Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge earlier today (Friday 20 December) to thank staff who saved Tom’s grandad's life last year.
Back in August 2023, the award-winning performer shared a video on his Instagram story, praising Royal Papworth staff for the treatment his grandad Peter received after he needed their specialist cardiology care.
Peter was diagnosed with aortic stenosis and needed a TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation), a minimally-invasive procedure which replaces the diseased aortic valve without the need for open heart surgery.
Royal Papworth is one of the UK’s leading centres for TAVI.
Peter, who is now 86, then also spent time on the hospital’s critical care unit for kidney support.
Tom Grennan's family with members of Royal Papworth's multidisciplinary critical care team
Tom's mum, Clare; his grandparents, Peter and Anne; and his auntie, Jane, and her husband Dave, all returned to Royal Papworth Hospital on Friday 20 December 2024 to meet members of the critical care team and present them with gifts.
The signed vinyls and CDs of Tom’s 2023 studio album, ‘What Ifs & Maybes’, were given a token of the family’s appreciation for the care Peter received.
Signed vinyls and CDs of Tom's latest album, 'What Ifs & Maybes’
Clare Grennan, Tom’s mum, said:
“Without the staff here at Royal Papworth Hospital, we would be facing our second Christmas without my dad.
“Thank you to the NHS for saving his life.”
Peter spent nearly two weeks in the hospital’s critical care unit as part of a three-week stay.
One of the people they met was critical care matron, Erin Russell.
“We see patients when they are really poorly, at a very difficult time in their life," said Erin.
"To see people like Peter a year on is something we don’t normally get to see, so to see him looking well and back here is amazing.
“We are so grateful for the signed CDs and vinyls. It’s a lovely gesture and the team feel recognised for the work that they do.”
The family also attended Royal Papworth Charity's Christmas carol concert in the hospital's atrium, alongside staff, patients and visitors.
The concert was part of the charity’s Christmas appeal, focused on its patient support fund which brings families closer together.
Tom was unable to attend the event in person as he attempted to achieve a Christmas number 1 with his single, ‘It Can't Be Christmas’. He did, however, speak to staff over a surprise video call, thanking them personally for their support and care.
Royal Papworth nurses Urszula and Erin join Peter in speaking with Tom on a video call