"Attentive surveillance and excellent clinical support"

My 73 yr old husband was rushed via ambulance at 5.19 am on a Saturday to A&E within Belfast Health &Social Care Trust (RVH ).He was triaged in our home by two superb paramedics. They initiated emergency treatment after accurate assessment and initial diagnosis of sepsis. This, in my view  halted progression of  his condition  to Septic Shock. Mark and Tyrone have already received positive feedback via the  online service user form.

He was  triaged  at  hospital  Ambulance Bay, and   deemed   a No 2 Priority(Amber Zone).Thus, an expedient  transfer occurred to  the  short stay bed area   around  6 .15am .His vital signs remained skewed and his oxygen saturation was lowered indicative of infection induced  sepsis.

 I, his wife was made feel welcomed and permitted to stay by his side.

The nursing staff were focused ,attentive and clinically competent. I wish to highly commend the professionalism, expert knowledge and calm demeanour of our Primary nurse Ranjil .This registered nurse displayed excellent person to person skills plus skilled clinical expertise in all clinical care interventions  .

His  calming influence and presence reassured us .He did maintain vigilant observation. He also supported me with clear answers to my questions. I am  a nurse.

He also offered me both breakfast and lunch to remain by my husband's side which just shows he was intuitive and went the extra mile .

Dr Jeremy the  Doctor in attendance was very supportive and had a great rapport with the patient . He instigated intravenous antibiotics around 10.00am for his urosepsis. We wish to express our sincere thanks to  both Ranjil and Jeremy for their professionalism, and focused   interest in my 73 year old husband's assessment and care.

It was a busy unit but team work was evident .Even the cleaner was in this bed area twice during our 6 hour stay and that is highly commendable also.

The only point I wish to make for learning  is the timing of husband's admission meant he fell between night and day shift doctors .A night duty doctor did not attend to him and that could have changed his outcome in my perception .As my husband  was in this bay from after 6am, I would have anticipated a doctor visit to his bedside before  the 8am shift  handover . 

Overall, we are thrilled with our experiences with ambulance team, ambulance bay nursing staff , and A&E staff, and wish those persons named to hear how much an impact they made in our lives that morning in the priority 2 area of A&E  department.

 I finish this story  in  profound gratitude; and jointly wish  to those staff we encountered, continued success and reward in their chosen vocation.  They are exceptional. 

Thank you  

Yours faithfully.