"Priceless Nursing Care"

I've had Crohn's Disease for more than 30 years, and have been receiving immuno-suppressant infusions in Ward 9 at Altnagelvin Hospital for several years. I've suffered some allergic reactions to treatment in the past, so it is understandable that I was a little nervous when I first began my treatment. I am sure many people suffer anxiety at the thought of attending hospital, especially if the treatment involves needles and/or drugs which are still relatively new.

My experiences attending Altnagelvin for this treatment have been universally positive, and I would like to pay tribute to the nurses who carry it out in such a way as to reassure any other patients who may be worried about coming for the first time, unsure of what might be ahead of them.

The ward is spacious, the reclining chairs are comfortable, refreshments are available, toilet facilities are close by, and most importantly the staff are very friendly and welcoming. It would be inappropriate to single anyone out, because that description applies to all of them equally. 

The solitary small criticism I might have, which is not related to the treatment itself, is that the hospital's new layout makes it quite a trek from the front door to the lifts. There are seats along the corridors for a rest if needed, and the option of requesting wheelchair support should be available, although I haven't tried this myself.

As a consequence of that walk, my pulse can sometimes be a little high on arrival, but the infusion won't be started until blood pressure, pulse and temperature are all satisfactory. Past and current health questions will be asked on each visit before treatment commences. 

I have problematic veins which can collapse on contact with any needles, and have learned to be as hydrated as possible, preferably with fruit juice, to hopefully help the nurses find a serviceable vein. Even when this doesn't prove successful, it is often dealt with humerously rather than a cause for anxiety. One of my 'hidden' veins is now unofficially named after the nurse who first discovered it.

The infusions usually take place over half an hour or an hour, with a comparable wait following treatment to allow for observations and confirmation that no negative reactions have occurred. Future appointment dates will be arranged during this time.

Living with chronic illness is not always easy, and as I think most people recognise, it has become harder in recent times to see a GP or discuss your health at any length with a doctor. It is not the job of nurses to act as therapists, at least officially, but in some ways that is one of the valuable services they carry out. In my case, having a bit of a whinge about my health on more than one occasion has resulted in additional beneficial treatment being prescribed by my consultant without needing to see him myself.

I am of course very grateful to my consultant for the fact that he oversees and approves my treatment, which carries quite a hefty price in financial terms, but I probably only see him once every year or two, whereas I see the nurses who administer the treatment every six weeks. In these difficult times when the cost of living crisis and wage disputes are regularly in the news, I hope there is a tiny bit of comfort to be taken from knowing that the service they provide is - to this patient at least - absolutely priceless.