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Care was outstanding and communication excellent

Posted By Carer82

"Care was outstanding and communication excellent"

About: Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Minor Injuries Unit Altnagelvin Area Hospital / Ward 4 (Urology, General Surgery) Anaesthetics and Theatres / DESU Theatres Northern Ireland Ambulance Service / Patient care services South West Acute Hospital / Emergency Care and Medicine Services South West Acute Hospital / Emergency General Surgery

(as a service user),

I presented to ED SWAH last week with a severe pain in my right side, I was triaged very quickly and given nausea relief but then sat for 7 hours before getting bloods done and then sat another hour. ED was really busy and staff worked tirelessly to get everyone sorted. When I was taken into the department from the waiting room, everything happened very quickly and staff were amazing and I was diagnosed very quickly.

I was then transferred by ambulance to Altnagelvin, the two girls who took me were fantastic and treated me so well and chatted to me and explained everything. 

I arrived at Altnagelvin and was taken to Minors 1, were again it was packed and really busy but Ashling the nurse was brilliant to me and after another 8 hours I got a bed and was taken for emergency surgery.

In theatres the staff were all amazing and explained everything in detail and the support given was fantastic taking away any anxiety I could have had.

I was brought back to Ward 4 and kept overnight and monitored and cared for with great compassion even though staff were busy I got fantastic care. I was discharged via the discharge lounge which is a brilliant idea and works.

My journey started in SWAH and ended in Altnagelvin and I have to acknowledge the care I received from everyone, nurses, nursing assistants, porters and medical and theatre staff, was outstanding and the communication was excellent. I just want to say a big thank you to all the staff I met on my journey. The work you all do is tough but keep going, I really appreciated it when I needed it.

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Responses

Response from Neil Gillan, Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service 3 months ago
Neil Gillan
Co-Production & Partnership Lead, Quality, Safety & Improvement,
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Submitted on 20/03/2025 at 17:12
Published on Care Opinion at 17:12

picture of Neil Gillan

Good afternoon Carer82,

I would like to begin by thanking you for taking the time to share your experience of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service - Patient Care Service. It was heartening to learn of the fantastic care and treatment provided by the staff involved in your transfer to Altnagelvin. Feedback such as this will lift the morale of all those involved in your care.

Best wishes

Neil

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Response from Carol Reid, Assistant director of nursing for surgical paeds and woman's health directorate, Acute Services, WHSCT 3 months ago
Carol Reid
Assistant director of nursing for surgical paeds and woman's health directorate, Acute Services,
WHSCT

Submitted on 24/03/2025 at 11:26
Published on Care Opinion at 11:26

picture of Carol Reid

Good morning Carer82

Firstly I hope this finds you well and that you are on the mend. Our staff really appreciate feedback. I am delighted that the care in both hospitals was in a timely manner and that you were kept involved in the decision making process.

The staff do there very best to ensure high standards of care in a very busy environment

Best wishes for the future

Carol Reid

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