"Person Centred Care"

I was admitted to hospital writhing in agony after a flare up of gallstones. I was taken to the surgical assessment unit who dealt with my pain immediately and started tests all the while reassuring me and asking how my pain level was. From there I went to Surgical ward B3 where I spent the next 5 days on IV antibiotics and sleeping a lot. Each day the nurses would come in , do my obs, top up water, fetch towels etc. as well as having a wee chat. The consultants discussed what my plan was and made me feel I was part of this discussion, not just a patient being told what was happening.

They decided that an operation would be required so I was taken to theatre by one of the nurses and a porter who chatted away the whole time with me. I was greeted by the theatre staff and had a wee chat with them too about the procedure.

Operation done and back to the ward with another couple of porters chatting away and asking me the odd question which I was quite oblivious to due to the anaesthetic. So here I am hoping to get home tomorrow reflecting on my patient experience.

What I realised this week was when we use the words person centred care, I know exactly what that means as I was at the heart of everything and felt the compassion, caring, kind, professional, quality of care, as well as listening ears and good humour of all the staff.

My care and support have been second to none and I couldn't thank enough, all the staff I came in contact with for making me well again.