This is the heartwarming moment a student nurse burst into a rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ on a hospital ward to raise the spirits of a grandmother-of-22.
Nellie Barr, 87, had been in hospital for around a week when Brittany McArthur, 21, was filmed singing her favourite song.
The nurse – who had no idea she was being filmed – brought patients to tears with her bedside rendition of the hymn.
She was filmed by another patient, who was impressed by her compassion and voice, in a clip shared online by Mrs Barr’s grateful family.
The video shows “loving and caring” Brittany singing beside Nellie’s bedside, before the former mill worker joins in.
One of Nellie’s 22 grandchildren, Jason Barr, 24, said: “As soon as I saw it I found it incredibly emotional and overwhelming.
“There were a few tears I have to say. It just shows the amazing care she is receiving.
“Despite the crippling pressure the NHS is under, this proves nurses are human beings and are there to provide amazing care.
“She had no idea she was being filmed. You can see the real care and love being shown. It’s incredible.”
Brittany, who isn’t even fully qualified yet, serenaded Nellie in Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, Northern Ireland, on May 11.
The third year student at Ulster University is a classically-trained singer and has had singing lessons from the age of 10.
She has been working at Altnagelvin Hospital on placement for the last two months and says all she wants to do is make patients “feel special”.
Brittany only met Nellie that day and was encouraged to sing after talking about music with the patients on the ward.
She was filmed unknowingly by patient Colleen Willis, 33.
Brittany said: “I didn’t really have a reason to do it. We just picked a song and sang together.
“I’m just glad it took her mind off the pain. I don’t tend to get nervous, I was just happy to make her smile.
“Nursing isn’t just about the clinical care, it’s about caring for the whole person. It is more than just medicine.
“I want to make a difference and if I can make someone smile even for ten minutes then that’s fine by me.”
Jason says his gran had already spoken about how caring hospital staff were being to her prior to Brittany’s stunning performance.
He says he’s more confident now than ever before in the “outstanding” level of care his gran is receiving in hospital.
Jason, a local councillor Strabane, west Tyrone, Northern Ireland, said: “It has filled me with such confidence to know she is being well looked after.
“I couldn’t wish for her to be receiving better care.
“It shows the love nurses do provide to patients.”
Nellie has been in hospital following a minor health scare, and is expected to return home to her husband of more than 60 years, Tommy, 87, next week.