"The whole stay was marked by the immense compassion of staff."

I would like to thank the teams who cared for me after I arrived at A&E with blood loss. Reception acted quickly but calmly when I could not stand, got me straight into a cubicle and in the very reassuring care of a student nurse (I regret I do not have names of many staff) who had previously been a healthcare worker. She explained everything she was doing and treated me with dignity. A Dr Campbell examined me with real care - I had recently had major surgery so this was not comfortable. Her balance of effectiveness and consideration was superb.

Within 2 hours, they had found me a bed on the gynae ward (a separate room, which I also appreciated). I was again examined by a consultant (a Kurdish doctor) who was incredibly sensitive to the fact I was post-op and very uncomfortable. I was hugely grateful for this understanding and being talked through what needed to be done. The nurses on the ward were majestic: they answered my questions about what might have caused the issue, reassured me, and were careful and honest about what was going on.

The nurse who monitored me overnight was the best of those I encountered, for her mix of professionalism and compassion. In the morning, it was disappointed to have another consultant do rounds with four student and junior doctors without explaining who they were, nor explaining that two would be present during a much less pleasant examination. The doctor was clearly superb but the communication was entirely different to that of the two previous consultants; this was dismaying as the examination of me was extremely invasive, painful and miserable in front of others, whose presence had not been explained.

However, my care was excellent, swift and clear, which is the most important thing - I’d just prefer not to feel somewhat brutalised from it, especially when others had been so careful.

The whole stay was marked by the knowledge, speed of action and - in the main - immense compassion of staff. This feels all the more remarkable given the sustained pressure on the NHS. I am very grateful for the care I received, and the fact that I am entirely well. Very many thanks to everyone from the lady who made me toast, to the porter, the reception staff, and both care teams.