"A delay but excellent care provided"

Big negative:

I was booked recently for an OGD and a colonoscopy early morning. I received a phone call a few days prior to change my original time to be nearly an hour later.

When I arrived at the Endoscopy suite it was closed. When I eventually gained entry I was booked in before my appointment time by a very competent nurse who informed me that I was due to be seen shortly. After a wait of a couple of hours both myself and a fellow patient were taken for our procedures.

No one came to explain the list was running late or to explain the delay. Please remember I was following the  guidance provided and so was starving. Such an unexplained wait was annoying and unnecessary. Why book patients so early if you don't intend to see them? 

Big positive:

My nurse endoscopist, her colleagues in the endoscopy suite and in recovery (as I opted for sedation I had to stay) were wonderful, kind and very competent. I'm delighted to see Daisy Hill being used for elective work now emergency surgery has been moved to Craigavon.

I'm also very glad to see competent and experienced nursing staff being utilised for complex diagnostic care. My team epitomised knowledgeable compassionate care and what was really pleasing was the endoscopists brilliant communication skills. She talked me through the procedures stopping to explain why she'd decided to take biopsies at certain times and once the procedures were completed she explained clearly what she'd done, what she found and allayed any concerns I expressed with knowledge and humour. A 1st class service from all involved once the procedures were underway 

My time in recovery was also excellent and the staff there very caring and good at communicating and teaching a student there on placement. The sister was also very good and dealt with an issue that arose very effectively - she's clearly a strong leader.