"Complete satisfaction"

I was contacted very last minute for surgery the next day following a cancellation so didn't have time to receive the letter with the info I needed. I was given all the information over the phone by a very friendly appointments team member.

On arrival I was welcomed into the Surgical Day Unit ward by a team of very happy and energetic nurses. The ward itself was very bright and had a wonderfully warm feeling to it. I was offered water, told where the toilets were, asked about my journey to the hospital, explained the gown and grippy socks combo and generally made very much at ease by the nurses. I ran through questions with Dr Morag and met Dr Buter before being taken in for a small op under local anaesthetic. 

The team were probably wishing I was under general, because I wouldn't stop talking to them for the full time I was having the procedure. I spend my days doing engineering, so I'm fascinated by other people's work and every question I asked the team had an answer for. When I wasn't asking about numbers on a BP machine or vents on the walls, the nurses were asking me questions about myself: my hobbies, fitness, what to have for lunch etc.

The procedure was quick - probably about 20-25 minutes at most - but it felt much quicker because my time in the room was filled with talking to genuinely lovely people. It was also really interesting to be able to ask both doctors questions while they were doing the op as often you're told information about procedures after, usually by a GP reading notes. So that gave me a much better understanding of what was happening. 

After my treatment I was escorted back to the ward and got my BP taken again. I was offered tea or coffee and some toast but when my coffee and toast arrived there were a couple of wee choccy biscuits there too. 

I was sat on my bed, in my gown and grippy socks, eating my toast and every nurse who went by asked how I was and if I needed anything else. It reminded me of being a wee girl who had been sent home from school unwell and had my mammy looking after me. 

After a few more checks, some aftercare info and the offer of any further assistance, it was time to get changed and go home. I was saying to nurse Tracey that I was sad because the liklihood is I won't be back in that ward again and therefore wouldn't see any of the wonderful staff again. If I encountered such happy, energetic people at a cafe, restaurant or shop etc I'd never be away from there. 

So overall my time in the Surgical Day Bed Unit was short but very, very sweet. I think I counted 7 nurses and 2 doctors who assisted and cared for me. Everyone treated me as if they were treating a loved family member and are an absolute credit to the NHS.

Much love to you all at the Vale ❤️