"First-rate trauma informed care"

I have had Crohn's disease since 1993 and am being treated for longstanding and Complex PTSD, part of which historically involves extreme anxiety and panic attacks when undergoing surgery, discussing treatment options and possible complications, receiving news about test results.

I made my new Colorectal surgeon, Alasdair, aware of this on my first meeting with him at Monklands Hospital whilst discussing future surgeries, and could not have hoped for a more compassionate, person-centred, humane and trauma informed approach from him, during which time I was able to beat several personal fears without CPTSD symptoms emerging and ask for the care I needed.

On the day of my subsequent exploratory surgery with Mr Macdonald, which he decided to perform at the Day Surgery under general anaesthetic to minimise any further trauma triggers.

I was continually made to feel comfortable by the staff. From the nurses who admitted me, in particular Joey, whose kindness when I woke up was much appreciated, the anaesthetic nurse, with her friendly conversation and reassuring demeanour, to Clare, the anaesthetist, who made clear to me both her passion for treating every patient as an individual, and her dedication to continually improving the patient experience, (note: she also sported fabulous cheery socks) I was made to feel I had made the right decision to seek care from Monklands hospital.

(It is important that I note here that my CPTSD was bad enough that I had considered not registering with a hospital at all, which, with my health complications may have proved fatal down the line, and if it were not for the deep care shown by the staff, I would have found it difficult to pursue further surgery)

A final and very important note about my follow up conversation with Mr Macdonald. The further surgeries we discussed were ones I have been avoiding having performed for over 20 years due to my CPTSD, despite the extensive damage and pain my Crohn's Disease has caused me, but his sky-high emotional intelligence, calming delivery, ego-free bedside manner and his ability to treat me as an individual despite the thousands of patients he has seen was remarkable.

He is the first surgeon I feel I can trust to perform the major surgeries which need to be done in order to finally give me my life back after decades of suffering. I am so relieved and grateful to have found him.