Family of Brighton legend Peter O'Sullivan campaign for legislation

Peter O’Sullivan collapsed at The Royal Sovereign pub in Shoreham at the end of June. He suffered a bleed on the brain and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

The “Welsh wizard” played for the Albion between 1970 and 1981, making more than 400 appearances as a stalwart on the wing through the third, second and first division when they were promoted in 1979.

His partner Kim Moss is now campaigning for legislation to enable a person’s next of kin to provide care for their loved one in the hospital to “ease the strain” on the NHS.

Sully was known as an assist maestro for the Albion

The campaign, called “Sully’s way or no way”, would allow people to help with day-to-day care such as washing the patient.

She said: “I’m going to Parliament about it, Sully’s way or no way helps the overstretched NHS. They’re not overstretched any more, they’re broken.

“I'd like people to be able to appoint one family member, giving them the authority to sit with their loved one day or night, meaning there is no restrictions on visiting hours.

Peter O'Sullivan was cared for at the Royal Sussex County Hospital

“This family member takes notes in their journal, as I have done, they make observations, they give them their basic care.

“They wash them, they feed them, they write down in their journal if there is any progress or any decline because they know their loved one more than any nurse.

“They will have a pass on a lanyard or armband that has to be worn at all times. This is a win win situation, it allows the doctors, nurses and consultants breathing space for other work.

He recently thanked fans for their support

“The member of family is not obligated to provide the care, but I am glad I did it.”

Peter O’Sullivan was on life support before being discharged on July 5. Kim confirmed he had dementia following scans but more tests were to take place to reveal how serious it was.

He was taken to Worthing Hospital on July 7 two days after his release from hospital in Brighton. This was a separate issue to his brain bleed.

The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation said it understands the “crucial role” carers play in supporting patients.

Maggie Davies, chief nurse at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Dementia is a complex disease and different patients have different needs. 

Peter O'Sullivan is at home currently being cared for by his partner Kim

"We know the crucial role carers play, particularly for patients made vulnerable by dementia. 

“We championed compassionate visiting at the height of the pandemic and have worked extensively with John's Campaign and others to make sure we meet the needs of people with dementia and their carers.

"We always aim for the very highest standards of care for every patient and are continuously reviewing our dementia strategy to make sure carers have the right access and support while the people they care for are in hospital."

The Department for Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency were approached for comment on the legislation.