"Treated with kindness and compassion from the moment we entered"

I attended DGRI with my husband who was unwell as his support/next of kin. Initially we presented at A&E.  We were concerned about having to go in as we are aware of the pressure that the NHS is under and how busy staff are.

However we were treated with kindness and compassion from the moment we entered the building, all the staff -  from the receptionist to triage nurse and medical staff - went out of their way to keep us informed and see us as quickly as possible.  I waited in the waiting room for him when he was taken through to be assessed and was very shortly taken through to be with him by the doctor looking after him.  This was unexpected and in my view very patient-centred.  During his treatment in A&E the staff were outstanding.

He was then to attend Surgical Assessment.  The area was clearly very busy however the staff were amazing.  Nothing was a hassle and again they kept us up to date with the care plans.  The hospital was very busy but they were open and honest about delays and kept us fully informed.  Again they facilitated me being able to stay with him and keep him company.

He was taken to theatre and he could not praise the staff in theatre enough - they were informative, caring and had a laugh and a joke with him to keep him at ease.  The anaesthetist listened to his concerns and discussed with him what the plan would be to ensure that his concerns would be acknowledge. 

Following his surgery he was admitted to short stay.  Again the staff were fantastic and facilitated me being able to be with him up until his discharge.  There was a delay in his discharge due to workload within the hospital, however again the staff were open and honest with us.  All the staff in the ward were amazing.

DGRI should be proud of their A&E, surgical and theatre departments, they are a credit to NHS Dumfries and Galloway and exemplify best practice and patient-centred care.