"My ectopic pregnancy"

I simply wanted to fill in this form to praise all of those who are involved in your EPPC at Craigavon Area Hospital.

In February I had a miscarriage and this was my first experience with the EPPC. Gillian was my nurse at that stage. She was so incredibly compassionate and delivered the message that I had indeed had a miscarriage in a way that was more sensitive than I had even thought achievable.

At the beginning of May, I returned to the EPPC. Around an hour beforehand I had suffered symptoms of miscarriage and severe pain. Darina was my nurse on this occasion. She was so kind to me and my husband throughout the process that followed. Unfortunately, Darina was able to see a suspected ectopic pregnancy. Dr Jenna (apologies if I have not recalled her name correctly) came up to the EPPC within less than 5 minutes to perform the scan again and confirmed what Darina had suspected.

Both Darina and Jenna were so sensitive and empathetic throughout the process and I never once felt uncomfortable throughout what were for me, very intimate procedures. I had lost or was about to lose another pregnancy and these two women treated my husband and I accordingly. They answered every question I had, often more than once and never seemed like they needed to rush away to speak to another patient.

Dr Skelly was my surgeon and again provided me with every assurance I needed. He treated me in such a compassionate, respectful way. He didn't once patronise me or skimp on detail, he made me feel fully his equal.

I will always be grateful for the efficiency with which I was diagnosed and operated on, as well as compassion shown to me during this time.

Both Jenna and Dr Skelly individually spoke to my husband while I was in recovery, and both then came to my bedside when I was ready. It meant a lot to my husband that they both took the time to do this and when he was speaking to them, they gave him all the time he needed.

I will say that unfortunately the senior staff member who discharged me the following day, did not treat me in the same way. They suggested I could return to my normal routine and to work the following day. This staff member may be medically correct, but I felt they never once mentioned the fact that I had just lost another baby and there is an emotional toll that comes with that. It felt very much like we could have just as easily been discussing a tooth extraction.

But I don't want to take away from the experience that Darina, Jenna and Dr Skelly provided to me. I will genuinely never take for granted the difference it makes when a medical professional treats you as an individual and not just another patient.

I should also mention Aine who was in training, Betty who was the nurse when I returned to the ward and the Healthcare assistant who cared for me afterwards. Making things like toileting not feel awkward. Getting my husband a blanket and pillow, making fresh cups of tea or toast if they were cold when they got to me are the little things that make us feel human.

I have nothing but praise for those involved in Ward 1East and the EPPC.