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"I was left feeling reassured that I'd been listened to"

About: General Practices in Grampian

(as the patient),

I had put off calling the practice for an appointment due to a previous experience where my appointment had never been booked. I needed to speak to someone about my mental health and the issues I was experiencing. I spoke to a receptionist who was patient and understanding and pointed me in the direction of the Nurse Practitioner who would be able to assist.

I spoke with Rachel that same day, a couple of hours after I'd asked for an appointment. She was so genuine and kind, her dulcet Geordie (or Sunderland, sorry!) tones really helped me feel more comfortable speaking about some deeply personal and upsetting/embarrassing things. She took the time to ask pertinent questions and took great care to clearly explain her clinical opinion and the next steps. She said she'd like to do some further investigation to see if I could be seen out of area for a particular issue.

She called me back a few hours later to update me on her findings and reiterated the next steps. I was left feeling reassured that I'd been listened to and that active steps were being taken to resolve my issues and referrals were to be made to necessary support systems.

I want to thank Rachel and let her know that her demeanour and action means I feel less alone that there may be some resolutions in sight. She is a gem.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 6 months ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 02/11/2023 at 13:40
Published on Care Opinion at 13:40


picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear mayyr45,

Thank you for sharing your experience of the contact you had with both the receptionist and nurse practitioner Rachel at your GP Practice. It was heart warming to read that their patience and understanding helped you feel supported and reassured. Getting in touch, following a difficult previous experience, couldn’t have been easy – but I’m glad you did and I hope other people reading will see that it is worth trying again when things don’t work out the first time (though I understand that isn’t ideal).

This feedback will mean a lot to the practice and I’m sure Rachel and the receptionist will be delighted with the special mention. I would like to be able to forward this to them, but the GP practices in Grampian are not subscribed to Care Opinion and don’t routinely access the feedback shared. If you feel comfortable, would you mind sharing the name of the practice? You can do so in this thread or by contacting me directly on kirsten.dickson@nh.scot or text/phone 07885720267. I don’t share any of your details with the practice.

Take care and hope to hear from you soon.

Kirsten

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Update posted by mayyr45 (the patient)

Thank you for your response Kirsten. The practice in question is Whinhill Medical Practice, Whinhill Road, Aberdeen, AB11 7XH.

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