Choosing The Portland Hospital

Hallie is a bright, lively child, who’s always on the move and always smiling. Her dad, Dave, describes her as “full of curiosity and energy, with a smile that lights up every room she walks into.” She already dreams big, and has decided that when she grows up, she’ll be both a vet and a singer.

After Hallie started having abdominal pain, it was soon found out that she had appendicitis and would need to have her appendix removed. If this is delayed, appendicitis can soon worsen, with there being a risk of the appendix rupturing. Rather than waiting, Hallie’s family decided to come to The Portland Hospital. “With The Portland’s reputation, and with a full paediatric intensive care unit, one of the only of its kind in the UK, I had assurance that we had the best chances of things going well,” explains Dave. “And if things went badly, we’d have the best possible team available. The Portland gave me that assurance.”

An assurance of safety and support

Being both a healthcare professional and a parent, Dave had high expectations. “From the moment I arrived, to the moment I left, I was confident in the team and the facilities,” he recalls. “As a parent, your main concern is whether your child feels safe and cared for. As a healthcare professional, you also look for clinical excellence. At The Portland, we experienced both.”

Hallie was initially admitted under Professor Paolo De Coppi and later cared for by paediatrician Dr Akash Deep. “The team delivered great care,” Dave says. “One of the main benefits of choosing a place like The Portland is the certainty around safe staffing levels and consultant oversight. The integration with the play team was outstanding too.”

What stood out most was the way the team supported both Hallie and her parents. “As any healthcare professional will admit, we often make the worst patients, or in this case, the most anxious parents,” Dave laughs. “I found myself torn between slipping into ‘clinical mode’ and just being a worried parent. The team respected my knowledge when I needed detail, but they also knew when to gently bring me back to just being Dad. Their compassion, patience, and ability to translate complex care into reassurance made all the difference.”

A combination of confidence and comfort

During her stay, Hallie was never just “a poorly child in a hospital bed.” The team kept her comfortable, lifted her spirits, and ensured she felt cared for. “She felt safe, and that was the most important thing to me,” says Dave. “For me, it was an anxious time, but I also felt reassured. The professionalism of the team gave me confidence, while their compassion gave me comfort. That combination helped both of us feel supported.”

Communication was another area where The Portland stood out. “I came in with very high expectations and HCA Healthcare UK were spot on. I was always kept fully informed about Hallie’s treatment and progress. The team tailored their communication beautifully, in plain, reassuring terms when speaking to us as parents, and detailed clinical information when I needed it. That thoughtful balance gave me confidence as a healthcare professional and reassurance as a parent.”

Recovery and moving forward

In August, Hallie was discharged home on oral antibiotics. Since then, she has bounced back brilliantly. “Her appetite has returned, she’s eating well again and even asking for seconds”. “She’s also recently learnt to ride her bike without stabilisers, which feels like such a milestone and a clear sign she’s back to her energetic self.”

A particular highlight during her stay was a special treat. “Hallie wasn’t eating initially, so we booked the famous afternoon tea,” Dave says, “and it definitely raised her spirits!”

A message for other parents

From Hallie’s experience at The Portland Hospital, Dave has the following to share with other parents in his position. “If another parent was worried about bringing their child into hospital, I’d want them to know this; every procedure carries some risk, and that’s something all parents worry about. But at The Portland, I knew that if anything did go wrong, I had done absolutely everything possible for Hallie by bringing her here. The standard of care, the expertise of the team, and the way they support both children and parents is second to none. Choosing The Portland means you can focus on being there for your child, confident that they’re in the very best hands.”

Looking back, the Hallie’s family remain deeply grateful. “It’s one thing to deliver excellent clinical care, but it’s another to do it with such compassion, patience, and understanding. The Portland team managed both. They gave us confidence, comfort, and reassurance at every step and for that, we’ll always be thankful.”

Find out more about our paediatric services.