"Excellent Urgent Care"

I attended Pembury yesterday (19th April) 2025 following a telephone call to 111, then (at their behest) 999, and in agreement with the 999 controller I was brought by my husband directly to

A & E. My underlying problem is that I have Churg Strauss syndrome which is a rare and unpredictable Immune Deficiency Disease.

This means that I need to be alert in an anticipatory sense to any sense of unwellness. Yesterday morning I developed a racing heart which felt like palpitations and signs of a chest infection.

As soon as I arrived at Pembury I was taken to the Orange Zone whilst my husband completed the registration formalities. I was seen initially by the Staff Nurse and the Foundation Doctor who went through the appropriate history and examination and blood and radiographic investigations very thoroughly and eventuality diagnosed a chest infection and provided me with antibiotics. I was discharged home with appropriate advice.

The dificulty for me (and the medical staff) is the way in which Churge Strauss syndrome can precipitate a crisis ( I know, I have had 6 serious incidents over the last 15 years and many more worrying incidents that required medical intervention) I manage the condition mostly by self prescribed prednisolone but as with yesterday that was not enough and, as the Foundation Doctor diagnosed I have a Chest Infection. This is now coming under control. Many Thanks for the Prompt Treatment.

I feel the main benefit of yesterday was the prompt care that has stopped the infection developing into a crisis, and the enormous reassurance that the prompt diagnosis and treatment and diagnosis gave to my husband and myself.

My feelings are top, top care. With thanks Victoria Lucas Roberts