Sunny Sunder had been seriously unwell and at one stage required full ventilator support, as well as support for his heart, kidneys and liver.

But after weeks of intensive treatment and care, he reached a major milestone when he was able to come off his ventilator and breathe independently.

To celebrate the achievement, the Critical Care team went the extra mile to make another important moment possible by arranging for Milo, the family dog Sunny had not seen for six weeks, to visit him in hospital.

Milo joined the family as an eight-week-old puppy last year and quickly formed a close bond with Sunny. Knowing how much they meant to each other, Sunny’s dad, Bash Ram, asked whether it might be possible for them to be reunited.

With the support of the Critical Care team, Milo was brought in to see him.

Bash said: “There were tears in his eyes when he actually saw Milo.

“We’re trying to move one step forward and hopefully help him come around from the sedation and get back to his normal life.”

The reunion came after a difficult six weeks for Sunny and his family. Bash said there had been a point when the family feared Sunny might not survive, but described the progress he had since as remarkable.

He said Sunny was now off the ventilator, with his heart, kidneys and liver functioning well, adding that the family was continuing to take his recovery “in small steps” alongside the clinical team.

Rebecca O’Dwyer, Critical Care lead nurse and joint clinical lead, said helping patients reconnect with the things that matter to them can play an important role during lengthy stays in intensive care.

She said: “Our patients in ICU don’t get to do many of the things that we all take for granted day to day, whether that’s seeing their loved ones, being outside or seeing their animals and pets.

“For patients who have been on ventilators and have been with us for a long time, being able to give them those experiences can have an enormous impact on their mental health, wellbeing and morale.

“It can re-energise people for that long journey of rehabilitation and progressing from intensive care.”

The reunion was made possible in part by the design of Midland Met itself. The hospital was developed with patient recovery and wellbeing at the heart of its design, making extensive use of natural light and providing green and outdoor spaces where patients who are well enough can spend time away from the ward environment.

On Level 5, the hospital’s Winter Garden and external terrace provide a large open space where patients can be brought for fresh air, views across Sandwell and West Birmingham and time with their families away from the clinical setting.

For Rebecca, the importance of that connection is something she can also relate to personally.

She added: “When I was in hospital myself in 2018, the thought of getting home to see my dog made me smile and made me want to get better quicker.

“That’s what we’ve been able to do today, and we’ve seen really positive changes from being able to do this for patients.”

For Bash, seeing his son smile with Milo by his side was another encouraging sign on what still remains a long road to recovery.