"The amazing work you do and the difference you make"

I accompanied my elderly father (83) when he attended UHD ED last weekend. We presented in the later evening. I am a nurse and I feel compelled to communicate the positive experience which we had on that night. Dad was promptly triaged by a lovely male nurse called Sam. He was kind and efficient during this encounter, and in every subsequent encounter we had with him.  My father had some time to wait before medical assessment and during the time he waited, we witnessed compassionate care from every staff member as they came to and fro to the waiting room. When we were seen by an F2 medic (who I am sorry to say, name escapes me) my Dad was so well looked after. This Doctor took time to listen to my Dad and gave him reassurance. Importantly he was able to communicate on my dads level and avoided medical jargon. My dad worked as a barman from the age of 14, and whilst he is by no means lacking in intelligence he can sometimes feel intimidated in the face of medical encounters.

Throughout our journey into the wee small hours this Dr continually came back to us with updates and just general camaraderie (he was evidently so busy but he went above and beyond to be kind to us- thank you). The next morning the staff changeover came. Sister Janet came to review my Dad and was in one word fabulous. Her leadership within the team was one to be admired, she worked among the staff in RATU and got the work done, but her kindness and evident compassion for those in her care really shone through. She is a born nurse and a credit to the profession.

I really got a sense of a happy team due to her bright and cheery character. She advocated for my Dad during the medical ward round and make sure that his journey was smooth and expedited as quickly as possible. Thank you Janet and team. Keep up the great work.

I would also like to give thanks to the medical and cardiology consultants and their teams who reviewed my Dad. They were kind, caring and able to talk to my Dad on his level. We are very grateful. Dad was transferred to a cardiology day hub and discharged from there.

This unit is a fabulous asset to the South Eastern trust.

Nurse Stephanie took time to talk to me and my Dad, orientate us to the ward and made us feel so welcome. Again, the care which Stephanie and the team in this ward provided made me proud to be a nurse. Stephanie was kind, attentive and sensitive to the fact that my Dad and I had been in ED all night. She swiftly and efficiently coordinated Dads care and got us home without delay. Thank you.

Well done Team UHD, you don’t get enough credit for the amazing work you do and the difference you make to people’s lives. Thank you.