"Problem free and top service"

All started 5 days ago with worsening symptoms of pneumonia prompting a call to out of hours. But despite a long wait, never got in queue after over 30 mins and so as deteriorating, family called 999. They were there within the promised 5-10 mins with excellent efficient service, good evidence gathering and prompt decision to head to A+E. There we had a bit of a wait in car park as resus bays full and so carried on monitoring in ambulance plus O2 and saline nebuliser to aid cough and breathing.

Seen swiftly once in resus bay and bloods, ECG, CxR and basic exam and history all done by 20 mins, although bit of a long wait to get results and deeper history (busy night and so doctor resources stretched and couldn’t be in all places simultaneously). Slight grumble: could have had a wee bit of a check to see if they could help with symptoms that were increasing (primarily constant, incredibly painful non productive cough), not that there was much they could do but it's the thought that counts.

Once rechecked, promptly moved off to MAU with IV anti biotic and nice high dose codeine combo for cough and pain. Well looked after in AU 1  for 18 hours then all of a sudden whisked off to general medical and cardiology ward 23. There was little warning it was in planning or happening soon, as thought it was to be overnight then medical ward in morning, but moved on at 2100.

There were a series of ward issues of ill patients, confused patients and mix of minor problems meaning I was kind of left to my own devices once O2 restarted, as already had all my doses for day complete by 2100 and so just obs overnight thereafter. Awful night of sleep, a few minutes here and there interspersed with bouts of constant dry spasmodic cough for very long spells that seemed never ending. However gradually over Friday through Sunday symptoms slowed and started settling to a cope-able level as medications kicked in.

Nursing care super all day and all night from all the various shifts with everything efficient, professional, friendly. Apart from occasional expect-able difficulties with blood taking and cannulas, all problem free and top service

Good work all.