"Thank you North West Ambulance Service and..."

I would like the Chief Executive to know how grateful I am to the NHS in general and every member of staff who helped me on Wednesday 2nd August 2017.

I had breathing problems for two weeks prior to finding myself in A&E. My asthma inhaler hadn't been helping, neither did the course of steroids that a GP gave to me. When I went back to the GP surgery for more help, I wasn't given anything and I was told to come back on 11th August for an asthma review. At this time, I was still very breathless, chest pains, tingling etc. but had no help. I was exhausted but was going to wait until the 11th and just try to cope until then.

My salbutamol inhaler, which I had been using a lot out of desperation, finished, and I called 111 on 2nd August at approx 8:30pm to ask for an inhaler. They were so helpful and realised I needed immediate assistance so they told me to phone an ambulance. I am so grateful to the 111 service for being my first lifeline that evening. The Ambulance Service were equally helpful and when the rapid response paramedic came at 9:15pm, they were so calming, friendly and thorough. They called for an ambulance to take me to A&E because the nebuliser hadn't improved my breathing much. The two paramedics in the large ambulance were so friendly and made me feel comfortable and at ease when I was worried about being another burden to an already busy hospital.

I think I arrived at approximately 10:30pm into A&E and think I was in bed 12, where I was eventually diagnosed with pneumonia.

I want to thank everyone who helped me in this department too. The staff are such a credit to Tameside Hospital. They were so busy but always had a smile to make me feel reassured. I watched them supporting each other too and I saw them constantly on the move, dedicating themselves to the patients, with barely a moment to sit down, including the staff who transport the beds to different departments and back again, and the staff who kept everywhere looking clean.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the doctor and everyone who was involved in my care that night.

I feel a lot better now than before, since starting the treatment. I would never have known what was wrong with me and I was really suffering badly. I dread to think how much worse I would have got if I had waited for an asthma review on the 11th.

All of the staff that I saw are a real credit to Tameside Hospital and I am so glad to have this hospital in our Borough. Thank you for everything that you all do for us when we need help. Lisa